Capsicum and pimenta fruits market in Africa

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the African market for fresh or chilled capsicum and pimenta fruits saw production volume increase from 4.3 million metric tons to 4.9 million metric tons. Market size in volume terms followed a similar path, rising from 4.1 million metric tons to 4.7 million metric tons, with a notable contraction in 2021 before a strong recovery. In value terms, the market expanded more sharply, growing from $4.6 billion to $7.6 billion, indicating significant price increases or value addition over the period.

By 2024, reports highlighted the resilience of the vegetable market in South Africa, a major African producer, with peppers (capsicum) among the top commodities. Factors such as consumer preferences, per capita income levels, and seasonal demand patterns contributed to stable performance, suggesting ongoing opportunities for innovation and diversification in the fresh produce sector.

Production capsicum and pimenta fruits in Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of capsicum and pimenta fruits, 2017-2020

World map of production of capsicum and pimenta fruits, 2017-2020

Africa's production of capsicum and pimenta fruits declined in 2020 after two consecutive years of growth. That year, the continent produced 4 512 thousand tons, representing a 1.8% decrease from 2019. Looking at the broader 2017-2020 period, production actually increased by 11.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.6%. The peak was reached in 2019 at 4 594 thousand tons, which also saw the largest annual increase of 7.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of capsicum and pimenta fruits production in Africa stood at 5 298 million US dollars, marking a 1.0% decline from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 10.2%, translating to an average annual decline of 3.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 4 732 million US dollars, which also experienced the steepest annual drop of 19.8%. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest annual increase of 13.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports capsicum and pimenta fruits from Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Africa's exports of capsicum and pimenta fruits reached 136.2 thousand tons in 2020, showing a 5.0% increase year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 11.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.6%. The highest export volume was in 2018 at 157.4 thousand tons, which also recorded the largest annual increase of 28.4%. The following year, 2019, saw the biggest decline of 17.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain, France, and Germany were the primary destinations for Africa's capsicum and pimenta fruit exports by volume. Spain accounted for 35.7% of exports, France for 26.9%, and Germany for 9.6%. Together, these three countries represented 72.2% of Africa's total export flows in this category.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, Africa's capsicum and pimenta fruit exports rebounded in 2020. Export value reached 159.9 million US dollars, a moderate increase of 5.8% compared to 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 10.4%, with an average annual decline of 3.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 151.1 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest annual drop of 13.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, France, and Germany were the main buyers of capsicum and pimenta fruits from Africa in value terms. Spain accounted for 35.9% of export value, France for 30.8%, and Germany for 10.9%. Combined, these three markets represented 77.5% of Africa's total export value in this category.

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

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

Imports capsicum and pimenta fruits to Africa

Imports in kind, K t

Africa's imports of capsicum and pimenta fruits totaled 3.2 thousand tons in 2020, reflecting a significant 25.3% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports declined by 10%, with an average annual decrease of 3.5%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 2.7 thousand tons, while the peak was in 2019 at 4.3 thousand tons. That year, 2019, also saw the largest annual increase of 55.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

During the 2017-2020 period, the Netherlands, Spain, and Special Categories were the key partners for Africa's capsicum and pimenta fruit imports by volume. The Netherlands accounted for 2.5% of imports, Spain for 2.3%, and Special Categories for 1.9%. Together, these three sources represented 6.7% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Following two years of growth, Africa's imports of capsicum and pimenta fruits declined in 2020. Import value reached 6.1 million US dollars, a decrease of 23.3% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 3.9%, with an average annual decline of 1.3%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 7.9 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 16.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Africa's capsicum and pimenta fruit imports were distributed across many different markets. Even the largest suppliers—the Netherlands, Spain, and Portugal—together accounted for only 17.7% of total import value, indicating a highly diversified import structure.

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

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