Pears market in SADC

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2022, the fresh pears market in the SADC region experienced significant growth, with production increasing from 407 thousand tons to 558 thousand tons and market volume expanding from 205 thousand tons to 290 thousand tons. This upward trend was supported by rising exports, which grew from 210 thousand tons to 275 thousand tons over the same period.

In 2023, both production and market volume declined, falling to 491 thousand tons and 265 thousand tons respectively. This contraction was primarily driven by extreme weather events, including storms and strong winds, coupled with logistical disruptions at the Port of Cape Town, which hampered fruit export volumes. Concurrently, the South African fruit industry made strategic investments in additional equipment for port terminals to improve export infrastructure, aiming to bolster long-term capacity. Market access for South African pears in China, now in its third year, provided a stable export channel for varieties like Forelle, helping to mitigate some of the challenges.

Production pears in SADC

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of pears, 2017-2020

World map of production of pears, 2017-2020

SADC's pear production increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 444.5 thousand tonnes of pears, representing a 6.4% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 4.5%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 1.5%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 407.1 thousand tonnes, marking the largest decline of 4.3% during this period.

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

Exports pears from SADC

Exports in kind, K t

Pear exports from SADC increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 221.6 thousand tonnes, which is 3.9% higher than the previous year. However, between 2017 and 2020, overall exports decreased by 12.7%, equating to an annualized decline of 4.4%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 210.3 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 17.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, pear exports from SADC were widely distributed across various partner countries. Russia accounted for 17.2% of exports in kind, the Netherlands for 16.0%, and the United Arab Emirates for 10.1%. Together, these three countries represented only 43.3% of total export flows, indicating a diverse market spread.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, pear exports from SADC increased in value. In 2020, SADC exported pears worth 191.0 million US dollars, marking a 4.5% year-over-year gain. However, between 2017 and 2020, export value decreased by 4.4%, which corresponds to an annualized decline of 1.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 182.7 million US dollars, with the largest decline of 5.0% occurring that year.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, pear exports from SADC in value terms were not concentrated on a few key markets. The Netherlands accounted for 16.4% of export value, Russia for 16.1%, and the United Arab Emirates for 10.2%. Collectively, these three countries represented only 42.7% of total export flows, highlighting a broad distribution across multiple markets.

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

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

Imports pears to SADC

Imports in kind, K t

There were noticeable fluctuations in pear import volumes for SADC during this period. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2018 at 8.4 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest increase of 96.5%. In contrast, the lowest volume was in 2017, with imports varying by a factor of two between these years. In 2020, SADC imported 5.4 thousand tonnes of pears, marking a 33.7% decrease from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the core sources for pear imports in kind to SADC were Portugal, accounting for 9.4% of imports, China with 0.7%, and Niue with 0.5%. Together, these three countries represented 10.6% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Pear imports to SADC declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, SADC imported pears worth 6.4 million US dollars, marking a significant drop of 23.3% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 27.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -10.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Portugal and China remained the key partner countries for pear imports in value terms to SADC, jointly accounting for 5.3% of total import flows.

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

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