Cabbages market in South Africa

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, cabbage production in South Africa increased steadily from 160.7 thousand tons to 163.8 thousand tons, while the market volume grew from 146.1 thousand tons to 150.6 thousand tons. This expansion was supported by the rising profitability of exports to Asia, which became the most lucrative region for South African cabbage by 2018, encouraging higher output. However, smallholder farmers faced constraints such as high input costs and limited market information, which could have hampered production efficiency.

From 2021 onward, market volume rose significantly, reaching 174.7 thousand tons in 2021 and 201.3 thousand tons in 2023. Severe supply chain challenges, including poor temperature management and transportation issues, led to high losses and product rejection, particularly in the Nelson Mandela Bay region. In 2022, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine drove up prices for fertilizers, energy, and shipping, raising production costs and impacting the market's monetary value, which fell from $59.1 million in 2021 to $53.1 million in 2022 despite stable physical volumes.

Despite a decline in exports from 14.6 thousand tons in 2018 to 6.1 thousand tons in 2023, domestic market volume continued to expand, indicating stronger local demand. Consumer trends toward food safety and responsible farming also began influencing market dynamics, creating both opportunities and challenges for producers.

Production cabbages in South Africa

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of cabbages, 2018-2021

World map of production of cabbages, 2018-2021

South Africa produced 186.2 thousand tonnes of cabbages in 2021, marking a 13.7% increase from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production grew by 15.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2020, when production fell by 1.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, K t

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In 2021, South Africa's cabbage output was valued at 62 932 thousand US dollars, showing a significant 37.6% rise compared to 2020. From 2018 to 2021, production value increased by 51.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 14.8%. The largest decrease was recorded in 2020, with a 3.9% drop.

Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Exports cabbages from South Africa

Exports in kind, t

South Africa's cabbage exports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports amounted to 11 562 tonnes, representing a substantial 12.7% decrease from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports fell by 20.7%, equating to an annualized decline of 7.4%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 15 291 tonnes, with the largest increase that year at 4.9%. The largest decline occurred in 2020, when exports dropped by 13.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Lesotho, Botswana, and Mozambique were the core markets for South Africa's cabbage exports in volume terms, accounting for 46.6%, 26.3%, and 14.7% of total exports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 87.6% of all export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2021, South Africa's cabbage exports totaled 3 907 thousand US dollars, a 5.7% increase from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value grew by 3.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 3 698 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 4 394 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with a 15.8% drop, and the largest increase was in 2019, with a 16.4% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Lesotho, the United Kingdom, and Botswana were the main buyers of South African cabbages in value terms, accounting for 27.5%, 27.2%, and 20.8% of total exports, respectively. Together, these three markets comprised 75.4% of all export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2021

Imports cabbages to South Africa

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes showed significant volatility during this period. The lowest point was in 2018, while imports peaked in 2021, with a 23-fold difference between these years. In 2021, South Africa imported 20 tonnes of cabbages, a sharp 171.2% increase from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with a 17.2% drop, while the largest increase was in 2019, with a 922.7% surge.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Eswatini dominated South Africa's cabbage imports in volume terms, accounting for 74.8% of total flows. Other countries together made up the remaining share.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

South Africa's cabbage import value increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports stood at 38 thousand US dollars, representing a steep 318.9% rise from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, import value grew by 6 725.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 308.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Throughout 2018-2021, Eswatini was the primary supplier of cabbages to South Africa in value terms, accounting for 85.5% of total imports. Other trading partners held relatively modest shares.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2021