Capsicum and pimenta fruits market in Eastern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fresh or chilled capsicum and pimenta fruits in Eastern Africa showed variability from 2018 to 2023. After increasing to 502.7 thousand tons in 2019, volume contracted over the next two years, reaching a low of 461.6 thousand tons in 2021. A period of stabilization followed in 2022, before a recovery to 493.4 thousand tons in 2023. In value terms, the market exhibited sharper swings, rising to 1.6 billion US dollars in 2019, falling sharply to 1.2 billion US dollars in 2020, and then steadily rebounding to over 1.5 billion US dollars by 2023.

By 2024, several factors were influencing the market landscape. Growing consumer trends towards plant-based and gluten-free diets were driving increased demand for capsicum due to its nutritional benefits. At the same time, weather extremes and climate variability presented ongoing challenges for production, affecting supply and quality. The expansion of supermarket retail in the region raised requirements for higher quality and consistent supply, while market rivalry among key players encouraged innovations in product quality and supply chain management. Furthermore, automation and technological innovations emerged as solutions to labor shortages and sustainability challenges in fresh produce handling.

Production capsicum and pimenta fruits in Eastern 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

In 2019, Eastern Africa produced 502.6 thousand tons of capsicum and pimenta fruits, marking the highest output in recent years. However, production declined to 485.8 thousand tons in 2020, representing a moderate decrease of 3.3% from the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 2.1%, which translates to an average annual decline of 0.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 474.4 thousand tons. The most significant drop occurred in 2018 with a 4.4% decrease, while the largest increase was seen in 2019 with a 6.0% rise.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two consecutive years of growth, the production value of capsicum and pimenta fruits in Eastern Africa experienced a downturn. In 2020, the output was valued at 1.159 billion US dollars, reflecting a substantial decline of 29.0% compared to 2019. Despite this recent drop, over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value actually increased by 4.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.4%. The peak value was reached in 2019 at 1.632 billion US dollars, which also saw the most significant increase of 28.3%.

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

Exports capsicum and pimenta fruits from Eastern Africa

Exports in kind, t

The export market for capsicum and pimenta fruits from Eastern Africa showed considerable volatility during this period. In 2018, exports bottomed out at 354 tons, but then surged to 1 199 tons in 2020, representing a dramatic 71.4% increase from the previous year. The difference between the peak in 2020 and the trough in 2018 was 3.4 times. The most substantial decline occurred in 2018 with a 69.6% drop, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 with a 97.8% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three key markets—the United Kingdom, Belarus, and Germany—collectively accounted for 54.3% of all capsicum and pimenta fruit exports from Eastern Africa measured in volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values demonstrated notable volatility throughout the observed years. The market reached its lowest point in 2018 at 949 thousand US dollars, then climbed to 2.861 million US dollars in 2020, showing a sharp 25.9% increase from 2019. The difference between the 2020 peak and the 2018 trough was threefold. The most significant decline occurred in 2018 with a 63.6% decrease, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 with a substantial 139.6% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three countries dominated the value of capsicum and pimenta fruit exports from Eastern Africa: the United Kingdom with 35.3% of export value, the Netherlands with 20.1%, and Germany with 12.6%. Together, these markets absorbed 68.0% of total export value, establishing them as the primary destinations.

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

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

Imports capsicum and pimenta fruits to Eastern Africa

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Eastern Africa imported 394 tons of capsicum and pimenta fruits, which represents a significant 52.0% decrease from 2019. Over the four-year period from 2017 to 2020, imports declined by 52%, equivalent to an average annual decrease of 21.7%. The most notable increase occurred in 2019 with a 25.4% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the import market for capsicum and pimenta fruits in Eastern Africa was highly concentrated, with Egypt and South Africa together accounting for 87.9% of all imports by volume. Other trading partners represented only marginal shares.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of consecutive growth, imports of capsicum and pimenta fruits into Eastern Africa declined significantly. In 2020, import value totaled 1.268 million US dollars, marking an abrupt 46.6% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 29.4%, which translates to an average annual decline of 11.0%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 2.373 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 16.0% rise.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Egypt and South Africa clearly dominated the import market for capsicum and pimenta fruits in Eastern Africa in value terms, jointly accounting for 91.9% of total import value. Other countries held considerably smaller shares in the market.

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

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