Carrots and turnips market in South Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh carrots and turnips in South Africa experienced notable fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. After a rise to 213.3 thousand tons in 2019, the market volume dipped slightly in 2020 before reaching a peak of 218.6 thousand tons in 2021. This was followed by a decline to 196.1 thousand tons by 2023. In value terms, the market peaked at 123.5 million US dollars in 2021, significantly higher than in previous years, indicating a period of stronger prices or a shift in the product mix. Throughout this period, the market was entirely supplied by domestic production, with no recorded imports.

In 2024, regional supply shortages influenced carrot prices, with reports indicating a 4.7% price increase linked to harvest timing and distribution efficiencies. These conditions created challenges, particularly for smaller regional markets. The following year, sharp price swings across the vegetable sector, including for carrots, continued to shape the market. Factors such as fluctuating supply and demand, alongside ongoing discussions about market access and the importance of distribution systems for fresh produce, were key influences during this period, highlighting the structural factors affecting stability in urban versus regional markets.

Production carrots and turnips in South Africa

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of carrots and turnips, 2018-2021

World map of production of carrots and turnips, 2018-2021

South Africa produced 233.6 thousand tons of carrots and turnips in 2021, marking a moderate 5.6% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 8.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.7%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 234.5 thousand tons, which saw the largest increase of 8.8%. In contrast, 2020 experienced the most significant decline of 5.7%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, South Africa's carrots and turnips production rebounded in value terms. In 2021, the output was valued at 132.0 million US dollars, representing a substantial 31.1% year-on-year increase. Over the 2018-2021 period, production value rose by 20.3%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 6.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 100.6 million US dollars, while 2019 saw the largest decline of 5.0%.

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

Exports carrots and turnips from South Africa

Exports in kind, t

In 2021, South Africa exported 15 049 tons of carrots and turnips, showing a modest 1.7% increase compared to the previous year. However, over the 2018-2021 period, exports decreased by 15.6%, with an average annual decline of 5.5%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 21 178 tons, which also saw the largest increase of 18.8%. In contrast, 2020 marked the lowest point at 14 791 tons, with the most significant decline of 30.2%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Mozambique, Eswatini, and Botswana consistently served as the three largest markets for South Africa's carrots and turnips exports in volume terms, collectively accounting for 65.1% of total 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

South Africa's carrots and turnips exports reached 8 499 thousand US dollars in 2021, reflecting a strong 26.3% gain compared to 2020. Despite this recent growth, exports decreased by 6.4% over the 2018-2021 period, with an average annual decline of 2.2%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 9 411 thousand US dollars, while 2020 saw the lowest point at 6 729 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 28.5%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, South Africa's carrots and turnips exports in value terms were distributed across a diverse range of buyers. Mozambique accounted for 17.3% of export value, the Netherlands for 16.9%, and Botswana for 11.7%, together contributing 45.9% of total exports. Many other countries held smaller but notable shares, indicating a broad market portfolio.

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 carrots and turnips to South Africa

Imports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. South Africa imported 9 tons of carrots and turnips in 2021, down by 66.2% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020 at 28 tons, with a 9.7-fold difference between these years. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 528.6%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Zambia, Lesotho, and Belgium consistently dominated South Africa's carrots and turnips imports in volume terms. Zambia accounted for 51.2% of imports, Lesotho for 21.5%, and Belgium for 16.7%, together representing 89.4% of total flows.

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

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during the period. South Africa imported 2 thousand US dollars worth of carrots and turnips in 2021, contracting by 92.0% compared to the previous year. Imports hit their lowest point in 2021 and peaked in 2020 at 26 thousand US dollars, with a 12.5-fold gap between these years. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 675.6%.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, Zambia and Belgium remained the key partner countries for South Africa's carrots and turnips imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 83.1% of total flows, while other partners made up the remainder.

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

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