Dried shelled cow peas market in South Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for dried shelled cow peas in South Africa fluctuated between 2018 and 2023, peaking at 6 683 t in 2020 due to a surge in imports to 2 666 t. Domestic production remained relatively stable, ranging from 4 529 t to 4 636 t annually. After 2020, the market size gradually declined to 4 592 t by 2023 as imports normalized and exports varied.

In 2024, agricultural export earnings reached R200 billion, driven by sectors like citrus and nuts, with farmers adapting to strict international standards such as GlobalGAP certification. Digital platforms like AgriMarket facilitated direct sales, potentially influencing market access for legumes. Food price inflation cooled to 2.5% at the end of 2024, easing broader cost pressures. By 2025, persistent Foot and Mouth Disease outbreaks disrupted livestock production, while global trade shifts and strong export demand for meat influenced agricultural trade flows, coinciding with a sharp drop in cow pea imports to 326 t and exports to 579 t.

Production dried shelled cow peas in South Africa

In kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, South Africa ranked as the world's 30th largest producer of dried shelled cow peas.

Top producers of dried shelled cow peas, 2018-2021

World map of production of dried shelled cow peas, 2018-2021

Following a two-year decline, dried shelled cow peas production in South Africa rebounded. In 2021, the country produced 4 559 tonnes, marking a slight increase of 0.7% compared to 2020. Production had reached its lowest point in 2020 at 4 529 tonnes, after experiencing its largest annual decline of 1.2% in 2019.

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

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

South Africa's dried shelled cow peas production value rose for the second year in a row. In 2021, output was valued at 7 390 thousand US dollars, representing a significant gain of 19.9% from the previous year. Over the entire 2018-2021 period, production value increased by 22.1%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 6.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 4 869 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 19.6%. In contrast, 2020 posted the strongest increase at 26.6%.

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

Exports dried shelled cow peas from South Africa

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed considerable volatility during these years. The lowest level was recorded in 2018, while exports peaked in 2019, creating a 4.9-fold difference between these two years. In 2021, South Africa exported 671 tonnes of dried shelled cow peas, representing a substantial rise of 31.3% compared to the previous year. The maximum volume was reached in 2019 at 1 079 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2020 at 52.6%, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2019 at 390.4%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, South Africa's dried shelled cow peas exports in kind were primarily directed toward Botswana and Mozambique, which together accounted for 81.5% of total flows, with other destinations playing a more limited role.

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

Export values displayed an unstable pattern throughout the period. From a low in 2018 to a high in 2019, exports varied by a factor of 4. In 2021, South Africa exported dried shelled cow peas worth 1 088 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp improvement of 56.4% year-over-year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 147 thousand US dollars. The largest decline took place in 2020 at 39.4%, while the most notable increase was observed in 2019 at 299.3%.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, Botswana, Mozambique, and Lesotho remained the principal markets for South Africa's dried shelled cow peas exports in value terms. Botswana accounted for 43.9% of exports, Mozambique for 35.4%, and Lesotho for 8.1%, collectively representing 87.3% of total 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 dried shelled cow peas to South Africa

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes exhibited significant volatility during these years. The lowest level was recorded in 2018, while imports peaked in 2020, resulting in a 5.8-fold difference between these two years. In 2021, South Africa imported 1 135 tonnes of dried shelled cow peas, which was 57.4% less than the previous year. The maximum volume was reached in 2020 at 2 666 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 190.6%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Botswana and Malawi were the main suppliers of dried shelled cow peas to South Africa, together accounting for 88.9% of total imports in kind, with other countries making up the remainder.

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

Import values demonstrated volatility over the observed period. The lowest level was recorded in 2018, while values peaked in 2020, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 4.4 times. In 2021, South Africa's dried shelled cow peas imports amounted to 686 thousand US dollars, indicating a reduction of 64.7% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was reached in 2020 at 1 945 thousand US dollars, which also posted the largest increase of 248.4%.

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

Over the 2018-2021 period, Botswana was the dominant source for South Africa's dried shelled cow peas imports in value terms, accounting for 71.4% of total flows, while the remaining share was distributed among several smaller markets.

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

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