Grapes market in Eastern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

Grape production in Eastern Africa increased steadily from 32 402 t in 2018 to 39 375 t in 2023. This growth was supported by rising interest in grape farming in Kenyan regions like Meru and Mbooni hills, where farmers invested in quality planting material and new varieties adapted to local conditions, viewing grapes as a long-term crop with a productive lifespan of up to 30 years.

The grape market volume remained stable at around 44 500 t in 2019 and 2020, then grew to 48 108 t in 2021 and continued expanding, reaching 50 658 t in 2023. The growth was facilitated by the Horticultural Crops Development Authority (HCDA) introducing traceability systems in 2022, which helped grape exports meet stringent European regulations on chemical use. Simultaneously, grapes and strawberries emerged as premium crops with higher value, encouraging farmers to increase production. In 2023, global factors including the war in Ukraine affected supply chains and agricultural produce prices in Kenya.

By 2024, the development of the local wine industry in regions such as Naivasha, Meru, Bungoma, and Nakuru, along with new wine companies entering the market including East African Breweries Ltd considering diversification, created additional opportunities for grapes both for fresh consumption and processing.

Production grapes in Eastern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of grapes, 2017-2020

World map of production of grapes, 2017-2020

Eastern Africa's grape production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 34 703 tonnes of grapes, marking a 3.5% rise from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 10.2%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Grape production in Eastern Africa has risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 73 405 thousand US dollars, representing a 4.6% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production expanded by 34.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports grapes from Eastern Africa

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 53 tonnes, then peaked in 2017, showing a 5.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Eastern Africa exported 66 tonnes of grapes, reflecting a robust gain of 24.2% from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 72.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belarus and South Africa were the key destinations for exports in kind, together accounting for 7.7% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, grape deliveries from Eastern Africa have increased. In 2020, the region exported grapes worth 139 thousand US dollars, indicating a 25.5% rise compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 70.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -33.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 111 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline took place in 2018, with a fall of 67.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the main buyers of grapes from Eastern Africa in value terms were South Africa (22.8% of exports), Belarus (21.2% of exports), and Saudi Arabia (1.5% of exports). Together, these countries comprised 45.4% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports grapes to Eastern Africa

Imports in kind, t

Eastern Africa's grape import volume has declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 9 809 tonnes, equivalent to a substantial decrease of 12.6% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 10.9%, which corresponds to an average annual decline of 3.8%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 13 182 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 14.9%. The largest increase was in 2018, with a rise of 19.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa (61.8% of imports in kind), Egypt (16.5% of imports in kind), and the United Arab Emirates (3.8% of imports in kind) together accounted for 82.1% of total imports in kind, remaining the primary sources for grapes to Eastern Africa.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Eastern Africa's grape import volume has decreased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totalled 17 891 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a contraction of 17.0% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports declined by 6.3%, equating to an average annual decrease of 2.2%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 22 760 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in the same year, with a rise of 19.1%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, South Africa and Egypt were the main directions for imports in value terms, jointly taking 80.3% of total flows, while the remaining share was distributed among other markets.

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

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