Cauliflowers and broccoli market in SADC

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the market volume for fresh cauliflowers and broccoli in SADC expanded significantly, with production rising by 12% to over 14 000 t and total market size increasing by 17.5% to 16 336 t. This growth was driven by the introduction of new cauliflower varieties better suited to local climates, such as summer types with protective wrapper leaves developed by companies like SAKATA, which enhanced yield and reduced sun damage. Simultaneously, health-conscious diets like Banting boosted consumer demand for broccoli and cauliflower as nutritious staples.

The market entered a phase of adjustment from 2020 to 2022. In 2020, improved harvest management practices aimed at cutting post-harvest losses helped lift production further, while the overall market volume stabilized around 16 000 t as import flows eased. By 2021, a sharp rise in exports pulled the market size down to 15 104 t, despite steady production. The following year saw both production and market volume contract, though underlying consumer trends continued to favor fresh, organic produce and cauliflower’s use as a low-carb substitute.

A recovery took hold in 2023, with market volume climbing 8.1% to 15 050 t and production rebounding by 6.8%. Cauliflower maintained its appeal in contemporary food trends, frequently appearing as riced, roasted, or mashed preparations, which supported renewed demand. Price increases observed in mid‑2024 pointed to ongoing supply‑demand tensions, underscoring the vegetable’s fluctuating yet resilient position in the regional market.

Production cauliflowers and broccoli in SADC

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of cauliflowers and broccoli, 2017-2020

World map of production of cauliflowers and broccoli, 2017-2020

SADC's production of cauliflowers and broccoli grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 14 522 tonnes, marking a 3.2% increase from the previous year. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, overall production actually fell by 10.4%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.6%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 12 559 tonnes, when output dropped by 22.5%—the steepest decline in the period. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase, with production rising by 12.0%.

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

Exports cauliflowers and broccoli from SADC

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed significant volatility over these years. The peak occurred in 2018 at 111 tonnes, while the lowest point was in 2020 at just 19 tonnes—a 5.9-fold difference between the two. In 2020, SADC's exports of cauliflowers and broccoli contracted sharply by 62.3% compared to the previous year. The largest surge in exports was recorded in 2018, with a dramatic increase of 262.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Special Categories consistently held the largest share in export volumes, accounting for 0.8% of total trade flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, SADC's cross-border shipments of cauliflowers and broccoli were valued at 1 891 thousand US dollars, reflecting a sudden drop of 28.0% from the year before. Over the full period from 2017 to 2020, export value declined by 29.5%, which corresponds to an annualized decrease of 11.0%. The most notable increase in export value occurred in 2019, rising by 2.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Kingdom was the top buyer of cauliflowers and broccoli from SADC, capturing 1.9% of total export value.

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

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

Imports cauliflowers and broccoli to SADC

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, SADC imported 1 593 tonnes of cauliflowers and broccoli, down 31.3% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, import volumes decreased by 18.9%, averaging an annual decline of 6.7%. The lowest import level was in 2018 at 1 453 tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 2 319 tonnes. That year also saw the largest increase, with imports jumping by 59.6%.

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

The import structure for cauliflowers and broccoli in SADC was highly diversified from 2017 to 2020. The top three suppliers—Egypt with 7.8% of import volume, Belgium with 4.1%, and Kenya with 2.7%—combined for just 14.6% of total flows. The remaining 85.4% came from a wide range of smaller markets.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After rising for two consecutive years, SADC's imports of cauliflowers and broccoli declined in 2020, totaling 2 307 thousand US dollars—a 31.2% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value fell by 24.4%, with an average annual decline of 8.9%. The peak import value was recorded in 2019 at 3 353 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, up 8.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt, Kenya, and Belgium were among the leading suppliers of cauliflowers and broccoli to SADC in value terms, with shares of 7.5%, 6.8%, and 4.8%, respectively. However, even combined, they accounted for only 19.1% of total import value, highlighting a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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