Cucumbers and gherkins market in South Africa

Earlier Report Observations

Market size in volume terms expanded from 24.8 thousand tonnes in 2018 to a peak of 29.8 thousand tonnes in 2020, before gradually declining to 28.1 thousand tonnes by 2023. In value terms, the market reached its highest point at 33.4 million US dollars in 2021. The initial growth was supported by a slight increase in fresh cucumber consumption in 2020, attributed to stronger consumer preferences and substitution effects that boosted demand.

After 2020, the market volume entered a gentle downward trend. Production costs across the agricultural sector rose, contributing to a 5% reduction in overall farm output by 2023, which placed pressure on cucumber supplies and limited market growth.

Production cucumbers and gherkins in South Africa

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of cucumbers and gherkins, 2018-2021

World map of production of cucumbers and gherkins, 2018-2021

South Africa's production of cucumbers and gherkins declined in 2021 after two consecutive years of growth. The country produced 30 909 tonnes that year, representing a modest year-over-year decrease of 1.9%. Over the 2018-2021 period, production grew by 15.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.9%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2020 at 31 497 tonnes, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2019 at 15.6%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In 2021, South Africa's cucumber and gherkin production was valued at 35 049 thousand US dollars, showing a robust year-over-year increase of 12.8%. From 2018 to 2021, the production value grew by 29.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.1%. The largest annual decline was recorded in 2020 at 10.3%, while the most significant increase occurred in 2019 at 28.3%.

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

Exports cucumbers and gherkins from South Africa

Exports in kind, t

South Africa's cucumber and gherkin exports stood at 1 509 tonnes in 2021, marking a substantial 14.4% decrease compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports fell by 30%, equivalent to an annualized decline rate of 11.2%. The largest drop occurred in 2019 at 28.3%, while exports increased by 14.1% in 2020.

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

From 2018 to 2021, three main markets—Botswana, Namibia, and Eswatini—collectively accounted for 81.4% of South Africa's total cucumber and gherkin exports by volume.

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 exported cucumbers and gherkins worth 1 711 thousand US dollars in 2021, representing a slight year-over-year decline of 1.6%. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value decreased by 21.2%, with an average annual decline rate of 7.6%. The largest drop was recorded in 2019 at 20.4%, while a minor increase of 0.6% occurred in 2020.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Botswana, Lesotho, and Namibia were the principal destinations for South Africa's cucumber and gherkin exports by value. Botswana accounted for 54.6% of export value, Lesotho for 14.0%, and Namibia for 12.8%, together representing 81.4% of total export flows.

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 cucumbers and gherkins to South Africa

Imports in kind, t

South Africa's cucumber and gherkin import market showed significant volatility during the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2020 at 40 tonnes, then rebounded to 81 tonnes in 2021—a sharp 102.1% year-over-year increase. From the peak in 2018 to the trough in 2020, import volumes varied by a factor of 4.2. The largest decline occurred in 2020 at 66.3%.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, Namibia dominated South Africa's cucumber and gherkin imports by volume, consistently supplying 92.7% of total imports.

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

South Africa's cucumber and gherkin imports increased in 2021 after two years of decline, reaching 27 thousand US dollars—a sharp 58.6% rise over the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, import value decreased by 66.8%, with an average annual decline rate of 30.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 17 thousand US dollars, while the largest drop occurred in 2019 at 56.7%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, South Africa's cucumber and gherkin imports were heavily oriented toward Namibia, which accounted for 95.2% of total import value.

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

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