Cabbages market in Madagascar

Earlier Report Observations

The cabbage market in Madagascar expanded from 18.1 thousand tons in 2018 to 18.9 thousand tons in 2020. This growth was partly driven by increased household production in suburban areas, where families cultivated Chinese cabbage and other varieties in small gardens to reduce food expenses.

Market volume declined to 18.5 thousand tons in 2021, interrupting the upward trend.

The market recovered slightly in the following years, reaching 18.7 thousand tons in 2023. This stabilization was supported by government initiatives to strengthen local production of essential goods and the modernization of the Coum market in Antananarivo, which improved distribution infrastructure.

Production cabbages in Madagascar

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of cabbages, 2017-2020

World map of production of cabbages, 2017-2020

Madagascar's cabbage production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 18,919 tonnes of cabbages, marking a modest 2.2% increase from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 5.8%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Madagascar in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports cabbages from Madagascar

Exports in kind, kg

The export market for cabbages showed significant volatility during this period. In 2018, exports hit their lowest point at 1,190 kg, but then surged to a peak of 6,550 kg in 2019—a dramatic 450.4% increase. However, by 2020, exports dropped to 2,847 kg, which is 56.5% lower than in 2019. The overall swing from the 2018 low to the 2019 high was 5.5 times, with the sharpest decline occurring in 2018 at 72.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Madagascar in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, France was the dominant destination for Madagascar's cabbage exports, accounting for 92.3% of the total volume shipped.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Madagascar in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, $ US

Export values for cabbages followed an unstable pattern over these years. In 2017, exports were at their lowest, but they climbed to a high of $7,338 in 2019—a 288.5% jump. By 2020, however, exports fell to $5,564, down 24.2% from the previous year. The overall change from the 2017 trough to the 2019 peak was a factor of 5.5.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Madagascar in value, 2017-2020, $ US

During 2017–2020, France was the clear leader in purchasing cabbages from Madagascar, making up 97.6% of the total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Madagascar in value, 2017-2020

Imports cabbages to Madagascar

Imports in kind, kg

Madagascar imported about 248 kg of cabbages in 2020, showing little change from 2019. However, imports declined sharply between 2018 and 2020, dropping by 72.4%, which averages out to an annual decrease of 34.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Madagascar in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa was the top supplier of cabbages to Madagascar, providing 72.0% of total imports by volume, while the remainder came from various other countries.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Madagascar in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, $ US

In 2020, the value of cabbage imports into Madagascar was $408, remaining relatively stable compared to 2019. Yet, from 2018 to 2020, import values fell by 83.9%, equating to an average annual decline of 45.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Madagascar in value, 2017-2020, $ US

Over the 2017–2020 period, South Africa and China together accounted for 86.1% of the total import value of cabbages to Madagascar, with the rest distributed among smaller markets.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Madagascar in value, 2017-2020