Dried mushrooms market in South Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The South African dried mushroom market experienced steady growth from 2018 to 2021, with volume increasing from 1 513 t to 2 296 t. This expansion was primarily driven by rising consumer interest in functional and medicinal mushrooms, such as reishi and lion’s mane, fueled by health and wellness trends. The trend persisted through 2020, supporting demand. By 2021, heightened demand was reflected in higher import prices, reaching US$4.05 per kg.

Market volume accelerated sharply from 2022, reaching 3 128 t that year and surging to 6 106 t in 2023. The jump was largely attributable to mushrooms' growing role in daily nutrition, particularly as a meat substitute valued for its protein and sustainability benefits. Concurrently, technological advances—including container cultivation and liquid fermentation methods—enhanced production efficiency and enabled higher-value powder products.

Industry dynamics saw the entry of new players and state-backed research initiatives, such as CSIR’s work on liquid cultivation, which aimed to enhance production methods. However, producers continued to face challenges from load-shedding and high input costs.

Production dried mushrooms in South Africa

In kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, South Africa ranked as the world's sixth-largest producer of dried mushrooms.

Top producers of dried mushrooms, 2018-2021

World map of production of dried mushrooms, 2018-2021

South Africa's dried mushroom production grew for the third year in a row in 2021, reaching 2 227 tonnes—a 9.4% increase from the previous year. Over the 2018–2021 period, production rose by 45%, averaging an annual growth rate of 13.2%.

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

Exports dried mushrooms from South Africa

Exports in kind, kg

The export market for dried mushrooms from South Africa experienced volatility between 2018 and 2021. Exports hit their lowest point in 2021 at 11 519 kg, down 59.9% from 2020, after peaking in 2018. The sharpest decline occurred in 2019, falling 68.6%, while the largest increase was in 2020, up 23.2%. Overall, exports varied by a factor of 6.4 from peak to trough.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, kg

Between 2018 and 2021, Lesotho, Namibia, and Zimbabwe were the main destinations for South Africa's dried mushroom exports by volume. Lesotho accounted for 68.7% of exports, Namibia for 8.4%, and Zimbabwe for 7.8%, together making up 84.9% of total export volumes.

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 dried mushroom export value increased for the second consecutive year in 2021, totaling $88.0 thousand—a 1.4% rise from 2020. Over the 2018–2021 period, export value grew by 32.3%, with an average annual rate of 9.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at $61.7 thousand, which also saw the largest decline of 7.3%. In contrast, the biggest increase occurred in 2020, up 40.8%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Lesotho, Botswana, and Zimbabwe were key buyers of South Africa's dried mushrooms by value, with shares of 24.3%, 12.8%, and 11.6%, respectively. However, their combined share was only 48.7% of total export value, while the remaining 51.3% was spread across numerous other trading partners.

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 dried mushrooms to South Africa

Imports in kind, kg

South Africa's dried mushroom import volume showed an unstable trend from 2018 to 2021. Imports reached their lowest point in 2020 at 26 726 kg, then surged to 80 275 kg in 2021—a 200.4% increase from the previous year. The largest decline was in 2020, down 52.4%. Overall, import volumes varied by a factor of 3 from the lowest to the highest point.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, kg

Between 2018 and 2021, China, Nigeria, and Ghana were the primary sources for South Africa's dried mushroom imports by volume. China supplied 48.1% of imports, Nigeria 26.6%, and Ghana 12.6%, together accounting for 87.2% of total import volumes.

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

After declining for two years, South Africa's dried mushroom import value increased in 2021 to $345.3 thousand, up 13.6% from 2020. Over the 2018–2021 period, however, import value fell by 45.2%, with an average annual decline of 18.2%. The lowest value was in 2020 at $304.0 thousand, and the largest drop occurred in 2019, down 38.0%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, China dominated South Africa's dried mushroom imports by value, holding 84.6% of the total. Other countries each accounted for significantly smaller shares.

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

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