Leguminous vegetables market in South Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh leguminous vegetables in South Africa began the period at over 30,000 t in 2018 but contracted sharply to 22,600 t the following year. A partial recovery to 26,200 t occurred in 2020, though specific drivers for these early shifts were not highlighted in the available sources.

Market volume grew steadily from 2021, reaching 28,800 t by 2022. This expansion was initially supported by a drop in the average price to US$0.60 per kg in 2021, making the product more accessible. The rise in 2022 was further bolstered by efforts to integrate smallholder farmers into formal supply chains, which increased domestic production, alongside a growing consumer trend favoring locally sourced vegetables.

A decline in volume to 26,400 t was recorded in 2023. During this time, the market environment was shaped by ongoing updates to food labeling regulations and legal developments that restored operator confidence in key municipal fresh produce distribution networks.

Production leguminous vegetables in South Africa

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of leguminous vegetables, 2018-2021

World map of production of leguminous vegetables, 2018-2021

South Africa produced 26 137 tonnes of leguminous vegetables in 2021, marking a slight decrease of 2.9% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production fell by 9.3%, with an average annual decline of 3.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 24 191 tonnes. That year also saw the largest decline of 16.1%, while 2020 experienced the biggest increase of 11.3%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

South Africa's leguminous vegetables production value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, output was valued at 28 609 thousand US dollars, showing a solid rise of 15.2% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, production value grew by 30.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 9.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 18 282 thousand US dollars. That year also saw the largest decline of 16.4%, while 2020 experienced the biggest increase of 35.8%.

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

Exports leguminous vegetables from South Africa

Exports in kind, t

Leguminous vegetables exports from South Africa declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports totaled 1 295 tonnes, reflecting a strong decrease of 24.8% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports fell by 56.5%, with an average annual decline of 24.2%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Eswatini (26.7% of exports in kind), Botswana (24.2%), and Mozambique (21.4%) remained the main buyers of leguminous vegetables from South Africa, collectively accounting for 72.3% of total exports in kind.

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 leguminous vegetables exports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports were valued at 1 418 thousand US dollars, down by 10.8% year-on-year. Between 2018 and 2021, export value decreased by 37.2%, equating to an annualized decline of 14.4%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Eswatini (32.7% of exports in value terms), Lesotho (17.9%), and Botswana (17.1%) together accounted for 67.7% of total exports in value terms, maintaining their position as the main destinations for South Africa's leguminous vegetables.

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 leguminous vegetables to South Africa

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes showed significant volatility during this period. The lowest level was recorded in 2020 at 997 tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2018, creating a 4.5-fold difference between these years. In 2021, imports totaled 2 119 tonnes, indicating a substantial gain of 112.6% compared to 2020. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 76.8%.

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

Over the 2018-2021 period, the United Arab Emirates (21.5% of imports in kind), China (18.9%), and Kenya (15.0%) were the main suppliers of leguminous vegetables to South Africa, together comprising 55.4% of total imports in kind.

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 a two-year decline, South Africa's leguminous vegetables imports increased in 2021. Import value totaled 3 160 thousand US dollars, showing an abrupt uptick of 42.3% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, import value decreased by 6.3%, equating to an annualized decline of 2.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 2 220 thousand US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 27.0%.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, Kenya (33.5% of imports in value terms), Zambia (15.0%), and Zimbabwe (13.1%) formed the core of South Africa's leguminous vegetables imports, together accounting for 61.6% 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