Market research

Lettuce and chicory market in South Africa

Release date: Mar 27, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

The South African lettuce and chicory market volume grew from 30 763 t in 2018 to 32 183 t in 2021. This expansion was supported by the introduction of the R638 Food Regulations, which raised hygiene standards for fresh produce handling, and the adoption of controlled-atmosphere greenhouse production that improved supply consistency and shelf life. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused supply chain disruptions, but a sharp drop in exports increased the volume available for domestic consumption.

After reaching a peak in 2021, the market volume stabilized at 32 144 t in 2022 before falling to 30 087 t in 2023. Throughout this period, wholesale prices for lettuce and chicory rose steadily, driving the market value higher even as volumes fluctuated. Consumer demand remained influenced by health and wellness trends, while supermarket supply chains continued to shape distribution and farm-gate pricing.

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, 2018-2025
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2025
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
  2. 4.1.2. In value
    1. 4.1.2.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.2.2. Imports, 2018-2025
    3. 4.1.2.3. Exports, 2018-2025
    4. 4.1.2.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in South Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in value, 2018-2023, $ US
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 South Africa in kind, 2018-2025, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  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 South Africa, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, $ 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 South Africa in kind, 2018-2025, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  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 South Africa, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, $ 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 South Africa in kind, 2018-2025, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  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 South Africa, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, $ 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 South Africa in kind, 2018-2025, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  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 South Africa, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, $ 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, 2018-2025
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 South Africa

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of lettuce and chicory, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of lettuce and chicory, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

In 2021, South Africa produced 33 969 tonnes of lettuce and chicory, representing a small increase of 1.2% compared to 2020. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 2.8%, which translates to an annualized rate of 0.9%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 2.7%, while the largest decline was recorded in 2020 at 1.1%.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	2.7%	(1.1%)	1.2%	0.9%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In 2021, the output of lettuce and chicory in South Africa was valued at 41 027 thousand US dollars, marking a substantial rise of 15.4% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production increased by 20.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.5%. The largest decline was observed in 2020 at 3.9%.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	8.9%	(3.9%)	15.4%	6.5%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports lettuce and chicory from South Africa

Exports in kind, t

Exported volumes of lettuce and chicory from South Africa declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports amounted to 1 797 tonnes, showing a slight reduction of 1.2% from the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 23.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.7%. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 2 468 tonnes, with the largest increase that year at 4.5%, while the largest decline occurred in 2020 at 26.3%.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	4.5%	(26.3%)	(1.2%)	(8.7%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, three principal markets—Namibia, Botswana, and Mozambique—together accounted for 79.3% of total lettuce and chicory exports in kind from South Africa.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2021, cross-border shipments of lettuce and chicory from South Africa totaled 2 171 thousand US dollars, equivalent to a strong increase of 12.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 10.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.6%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 1 928 thousand US dollars, while the maximum value was in 2019 at 2 689 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2020 at 28.3%.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	10.9%	(28.3%)	12.6%	(3.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, Botswana (32.3% of exports in value terms), Namibia (29.3%), and Mozambique (16.1%) continued to be the main buyers of lettuce and chicory from South Africa, jointly forming 77.7% of total exports in value terms.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Imports lettuce and chicory to South Africa

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Import volumes peaked in 2019 and fell to a trough in 2021, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 8.3 times. In 2021, South Africa's lettuce and chicory import volume reached 11 tonnes, down by 75.8% compared with 2020. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 94 tonnes, with the largest increase that year at 33.8%.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	33.8%	(50.5%)	(75.8%)	(45.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2018 to 2021, imports in kind remained heavily focused on the Netherlands, which accounted for 94.2% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. From a trough in 2020 to a peak in 2021, imports changed by a factor of 2.3. In 2021, lettuce and chicory shipments to South Africa from abroad totaled 77 thousand US dollars, up by 128.7% compared to 2020. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 34 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 53.9%.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	3.9%	(53.9%)	128.7%	3.1%

Source: SHEV.io

Over 2018 to 2021, the Netherlands and Italy dominated the geographical structure of imports in value terms of lettuce and chicory to South Africa, jointly accounting for 99.5% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io