Not further prepared dried vegetables market in South Africa, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The market for not further prepared dried vegetables in South Africa expanded steadily from 10 650 t in 2018 to 13 440 t in 2021, before stabilizing at 13 167 t in 2022. This growth phase was followed by a sharp 23% increase in market volume to 16 227 t in 2023. While specific drivers for the earlier years are not highlighted in the sources, the notable surge in 2023 coincided with a period of rising consumer prices for fresh vegetables, which may have influenced demand patterns for shelf-stable alternatives like dried vegetables.

From 2024, the market landscape began to evolve with the emergence of new value-added product segments, such as smoked, dried, and marinated vegetables designed to mimic meat products. This innovation trend continued into 2025, supported by the entry of new players introducing plant-based and natural vegetable-based offerings, which broadened consumer choice and stimulated category development. Although total market volume figures for 2024 and 2025 are not available, sustained import levels and growing export volumes indicate active trade and ongoing market dynamism during this period.

Production not further prepared dried vegetables in South Africa

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of not further prepared dried vegetables, 2018-2021

World map of production of not further prepared dried vegetables, 2018-2021

South Africa's production of not further prepared dried vegetables grew for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 3 528 tonnes, marking a 9.8% increase from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, production rose by 39.1%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 11.6%.

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

Exports not further prepared dried vegetables from South Africa

Exports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, South Africa's exports of not further prepared dried vegetables rebounded in 2021, reaching 1 430 tonnes—a 49.1% increase from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 27.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.4%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 959 tonnes, following a significant decline of 13.3% in 2019.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the United Kingdom, Botswana, and Namibia were notable but not dominant buyers of South Africa's not further prepared dried vegetables. The United Kingdom accounted for 23.4% of exports in kind, Botswana for 13.1%, and Namibia for 10.6%. Together, these three countries represented 47.1% 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

The market for not further prepared dried vegetables exports from South Africa showed an unstable trend from 2018 to 2021. Exports in value terms reached their lowest point in 2020 at 1 145 thousand US dollars, then surged to a peak of 2 835 thousand US dollars in 2021—a 2.5-fold increase. The 2021 figure represented a 147.6% year-over-year growth, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 26.8% drop.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, South Africa's exports of not further prepared dried vegetables in value terms were distributed across many countries. Switzerland was the largest market with 23.6% of exports in value terms, followed by the United Kingdom at 17.7% and Namibia at 7.7%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 49.0% of total export value.

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 not further prepared dried vegetables to South Africa

Imports in kind, t

South Africa's imports of not further prepared dried vegetables increased for the second consecutive year in 2021, totaling 11 342 tonnes—a 9.1% rise from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 22.8%, with a CAGR of 7.1%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 9 126 tonnes, which saw a slight decline of 1.2% from the previous year. This was followed by a substantial increase of 14.0% in 2020.

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

From 2018 to 2021, China and India dominated South Africa's imports of not further prepared dried vegetables in kind, together capturing 84.2% of the total. The remaining imports were thinly spread across other markets.

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

South Africa's imports of not further prepared dried vegetables in value terms rose for the second consecutive year in 2021, reaching approximately 23 859 thousand US dollars—a 12.6% increase from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 24.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 7.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 17 611 thousand US dollars, which saw an 8.2% decline from the prior year. This was followed by a significant increase of 20.3% in 2020.

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

During the 2018-2021 period, China, India, and the United States were the largest suppliers of not further prepared dried vegetables to South Africa in value terms. China accounted for 50.6% of imports in value terms, India for 23.5%, and the United States for 8.3%. Together, these three countries formed 82.4% 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