Pears market in South Africa

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, South African pear production expanded steadily, reaching 459.5 thousand tons, as new orchards came into full bearing and growers shifted toward early-season blush varieties that commanded better prices. A major boost came from securing market access to China after 18 years of negotiations and India’s approval of in-transit cold treatment, which opened significant new export channels and encouraged increased output.

Production peaked at 549.0 thousand tons in 2022 despite severe hailstorms in key growing regions and logistical disruptions from the Russian‑Ukrainian war, which raised shipping costs and strained port operations. Strong export growth to China and Hong Kong, where South Africa became the second‑largest apple supplier, helped offset some of these challenges. The following year, output declined to 481.4 thousand tons, reflecting the cumulative impact of the previous season’s adverse weather and ongoing geopolitical tensions affecting trade flows.

Throughout the period, the industry remained export‑focused, supported by continuous research in horticulture, pest management and post‑harvest handling. Consumer preference increasingly favored early blush and red pear varieties such as Forelle, shaping planting decisions. Ongoing negotiations for market access in other Asian countries, reinforced by diplomatic forums like FOCAC, aimed to further diversify export destinations.

Production pears in South Africa

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Between 2018 and 2021, South Africa ranked as the world's sixth-largest producer of pears.

Top producers of pears, 2018-2021

World map of production of pears, 2018-2021

South Africa's pear production grew for the third year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 459.5 thousand tonnes of pears, marking a 5.7% increase from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production rose by 15.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.9%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

South Africa's pear production value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the output was valued at 379.6 million US dollars, reflecting a modest 3.7% rise compared to the prior year. From 2018 to 2021, production value grew by 10.3%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 3.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 331.9 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 3.6%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2020, with a 10.3% jump.

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

Exports pears from South Africa

Exports in kind, K t

South Africa's pear exports expanded for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country exported 247.9 thousand tonnes of pears, up 9.3% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports increased by 11.6%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 3.7%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Russia, the Netherlands, and the United Arab Emirates were among the top buyers of South African pears by volume, accounting for 18.0%, 15.5%, and 9.6% of exports, respectively. However, their combined share was just 43.2% of total exports, indicating a broadly diversified partner base.

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, M $ US

South Africa's pear export value rose for the second year in a row. In 2021, exports reached 204.8 million US dollars, a 7.2% increase from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value grew by 6.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 182.7 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 5.0%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, the distribution of pear export value remained scattered. Russia, the Netherlands, and the United Arab Emirates accounted for 16.9%, 16.1%, and 9.6% of exports, respectively, but together they represented only 42.6% of total flows, with no single partner emerging as clearly dominant.

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 pears to South Africa

Imports in kind, K t

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. Import volumes peaked in 2019 and fell to their lowest point in 2020, showing a 3.1-fold difference. In 2021, South Africa imported 0.2 thousand tonnes of pears, a sharp 90.1% increase from the previous year. The minimum volume was recorded in 2020 at 0.1 thousand tonnes, while the maximum was in 2019 at 0.3 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with a 67.5% drop.

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

From 2018 to 2021, China, India, and Russia were the main sources of pear imports to South Africa by volume, with shares of 38.3%, 12.7%, and 6.4%, respectively. Together, they accounted for 57.4% of total import flows.

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, M $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations over the period. Import value reached its highest point in 2019 and its lowest in 2020, reflecting a 3.3-fold gap. In 2021, South Africa imported 0.2 million US dollars worth of pears, a 95.6% surge compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 0.1 million US dollars, while the maximum was in 2019 at 0.3 million US dollars. The largest decline took place in 2020, with a 69.6% decrease.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, China, India, and Russia remained the primary destinations for pear imports to South Africa by value, accounting for 39.2%, 13.0%, and 7.6% of imports, respectively. Their combined share totaled 59.7% 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