Capsicum and pimenta fruits market in Mauritius

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for capsicum and pimenta fruits in Mauritius more than doubled from 1 637 t in 2018 to 4 165 t in 2023. This expansion was characterized by particularly strong growth in 2019 and a surge in 2023, with a period of relative stability in between.

The notable 40% market increase in 2023 was driven by heightened consumer demand. This demand was partly fueled by growing awareness of the vegetable's nutritional benefits and broader trends towards plant-based and gluten-free diets. Key market players like Fresh Start Produce Sales and Fruit Farm Group contributed to this growth, reporting significant post-holiday sales spikes at the start of the year.

Prior to 2023, the market experienced consistent annual growth, though the pace moderated after 2019. The increase from 2 943 t in 2021 to 2 977 t in 2022 represented a stabilization, setting the stage for the subsequent acceleration.

Production capsicum and pimenta fruits in Mauritius

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of capsicum and pimenta fruits, 2017-2020

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

Mauritius saw its production of capsicum and pimenta fruits grow for the second year in a row. In 2019, output stood at 1 987 tonnes, then rose by 28.4% to reach 2 553 tonnes in 2020. Looking at the full 2017-2020 period, production increased by 25.8%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 7.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 395 tonnes, marking a significant decline of 31.3% from the previous year. In contrast, 2019 witnessed the strongest growth, with production surging by 42.5%.

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

Exports capsicum and pimenta fruits from Mauritius

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited considerable volatility during the observed period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 at 0.5 tonnes, after peaking in 2017. The difference between these two years was substantial, with 2017 volumes being 5.9 times higher. In 2019, exports showed a slight improvement, rising by 1.3% to 0.5 tonnes. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, when exports dropped by 83.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France was the dominant buyer of capsicum and pimenta fruits from Mauritius, accounting for 80.8% of total exports by volume. The remaining exports were distributed among a diverse group of other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations over this period. Export values hit their lowest point in 2018 at 0.4 thousand US dollars, after reaching a peak in 2017. The gap between these years was striking, with 2017 values being 11.4 times higher. In 2019, export values rebounded sharply, increasing by 654.7% to reach 3.3 thousand US dollars. The most dramatic decline occurred in 2018, when export values fell by 91.2%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, France was virtually the sole destination for Mauritius's capsicum and pimenta fruit exports in value terms, capturing 92.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports capsicum and pimenta fruits to Mauritius

Imports in kind, t

Mauritius experienced a steep decline in capsicum and pimenta fruit imports in 2020, with volumes dropping by 60.3% to 109.2 tonnes compared to 2019. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 65.1%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 29.6%. The most notable increase occurred in 2019, when imports rose by 13.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Egypt and South Africa were the primary sources for Mauritius's capsicum and pimenta fruit imports by volume, while other markets played a less significant role.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two consecutive years of growth, Mauritius's capsicum and pimenta fruit imports declined in 2020. Import values fell by 64.4% to 231.7 thousand US dollars compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 50.6%, representing an average annual decline of 21.0%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 651.3 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a rise of 24.6%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, South Africa and Egypt remained the key partners for Mauritius's capsicum and pimenta fruit imports in value terms, together accounting for 98.6% of total import flows, with other partners making up the remainder.

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

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