Cabbages market in Sao Tome and Principe

Earlier Report Observations

The cabbage market in Sao Tome and Principe demonstrated notable stability from 2018 to 2023, with annual market volume fluctuating narrowly between 847.7 thousand tonnes and 851.6 thousand tonnes. Domestic production remained remarkably steady at around 845 thousand tonnes per year, while import volumes, though small, introduced some variability to the total supply. During the initial years, the market operated within a traditional agricultural framework, with a concurrent national economic focus on developing tourism which did not materially alter cabbage production or consumption patterns.

The COVID-19 pandemic directly impacted the market in 2020 when the government closed the country's main marketplace to curb the virus's spread. This disruption to distribution channels contributed to a slight contraction in the total market volume that year. The subsequent period saw increased external interest, as foreign entrepreneurs from Gabon explored opportunities in the local fresh produce sector in 2021. Coupled with government assurances of support for export projects, this interest correlated with a spike in import volumes, helping to lift the total market size back above 849 thousand tonnes.

In the following years, the market volume stabilized near 848-849 thousand tonnes. The post-pandemic recovery of the tourism sector began, presenting a potential indirect source of demand for local agricultural goods like cabbages. Throughout the entire period, domestic production showed minimal year-to-year movement, indicating a resilient and consistent output level for this key vegetable crop.

Production cabbages in Sao Tome and Principe

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of cabbages, 2017-2020

World map of production of cabbages, 2017-2020

Sao Tome and Principe's cabbage production declined after two years of growth. In 2020, the country produced 844.3 tonnes of cabbages, showing no significant change from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 2.1%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 0.7%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 848.3 tonnes, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 2.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Sao Tome and Principe in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports cabbages from Sao Tome and Principe

Desk-based research indicates that Sao Tome and Principe did not export any cabbages from 2017 to 2020.

Imports cabbages to Sao Tome and Principe

Imports in kind, kg

In 2020, Sao Tome and Principe imported 3 671 kg of cabbages, marking an 11.1% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 20.7%, with an annualized rate of 6.5%. The peak import volume was in 2018 at 4 235 kg. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 22.0% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 39.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sao Tome and Principe in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, Portugal dominated cabbage imports to Sao Tome and Principe, accounting for 99.9% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Sao Tome and Principe in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, $ US

Foreign cabbage supplies to Sao Tome and Principe declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 4 751 US dollars, representing a 10.0% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 5.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.8%. The highest import value was in 2018 at 7 077 US dollars. The largest decline was in 2019 at 25.4%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 57.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sao Tome and Principe in value, 2017-2020, $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Portugal was the dominant partner in cabbage imports by value, consistently representing 100.0% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Sao Tome and Principe in value, 2017-2020