Market research

Lettuce and chicory market in SADC

Release date: Mar 27, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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File format: docx, xlsx

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"SADC" region includes following countries:

Angola

Botswana

Comoros

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Eswatini

Lesotho

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Namibia

Seychelles

South Africa

Tanzania

Zambia

Zimbabwe

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the lettuce and chicory market in SADC maintained a stable volume, moving within a narrow range of 50 500 t to 51 800 t. This period saw initial regulatory scrutiny with the National Agricultural Marketing Council's Section 7 Investigation into National Fresh Produce Markets in 2018, which examined structural and regulatory conditions. Subsequently, the Competition Commission launched a comprehensive Fresh Produce Market Inquiry in 2022 to identify barriers to competition within the fresh produce value chain.

The inquiry was formally confirmed in March 2023, focusing on market concentration and the participation of historically disadvantaged farmers. By 2024, consumer demand increasingly favored fresh, locally sourced vegetables, supporting market consumption. Regulatory updates, including new grading, packing, and marking regulations under the Agricultural Product Standards Act effective June 2024, alongside persistent supply chain challenges and extreme weather events, introduced additional dynamics affecting prices and market access.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in SADC
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in SADC in kind, 2018-2023, t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Angola in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Angola by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Angola in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Angola by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Angola, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Angola by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Angola in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Angola by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Angola in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Angola by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Angola, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Angola by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Angola in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Angola by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Angola in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Angola by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Angola, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Angola by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Angola in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Angola by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Angola in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Angola by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Angola, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Angola by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production lettuce and chicory in SADC

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of lettuce and chicory, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of lettuce and chicory, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

In 2020, SADC produced 49 158 tonnes of lettuce and chicory, representing a 2.4% year-on-year decrease. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 7.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.7%. The most significant decline occurred in 2018 at 7.2%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 1.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in SADC in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(7.2%)	1.7%	(2.4%)	(2.7%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports lettuce and chicory from SADC

Exports in kind, t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2019, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 130 times. In 2020, SADC exported 10 tonnes of lettuce and chicory, marking a sharp decline of 99.2% compared to the previous year. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 242 tonnes, with the largest increase that year at 83.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(9.4%)	83.5%	(99.2%)	(76.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Kenya remained the primary and most stable destination for exports in kind, accounting for 1.1% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, SADC's lettuce and chicory export volume declined. In 2020, SADC exported 1 940 thousand US dollars worth of lettuce and chicory, marking a steep reduction of 29.2% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 9.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.2%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 2 739 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 13.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	13.7%	12.4%	(29.2%)	(3.2%)

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports lettuce and chicory to SADC

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, SADC imported 1 868 tonnes of lettuce and chicory, showing an intense contraction of 26.9% versus the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 11.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.1%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 685 tonnes, while the maximum was in 2019 at 2 556 tonnes. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 51.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(20.3%)	51.7%	(26.9%)	(4.1%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for imports in kind was balanced rather than concentrated. Egypt (5.7% of imports in kind), the Netherlands (2.5% of imports in kind), and India (2.0% of imports in kind) jointly represented 10.2% of total flows, with many other countries accounting for the remaining 89.8%.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year advance, foreign lettuce and chicory supplies to SADC declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 2 973 thousand US dollars, which is 32.0% lower compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 16.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.7%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 4 371 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 16.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	16.7%	5.7%	(32.0%)	(5.7%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the partner landscape for imports in value terms was wide. France (7.6% of imports in value terms), Egypt (6.5% of imports in value terms), and the Netherlands (4.6% of imports in value terms) together formed only 18.7% of total flows, with a substantial 81.3% supplied to or from many other countries.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io