Pepper market in SADC

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the pepper market in SADC expanded robustly, with volume rising from 23 600 t to 31 771 t. This growth phase was driven by increased production, which reached 35 386 t in 2020, alongside stable import flows.

A sharp reversal began in 2021, as market volume contracted to 26 923 t and fell further to 21 150 t in 2022. By 2023, the market showed signs of stabilization, with volume edging up slightly to 21 276 t. Over this period, the market lost nearly one-third of its peak size.

In value terms, the market displayed volatility, declining from $122.0 million in 2018 to $82.8 million in 2023. This downward trend in value, despite some recovery in 2021, suggests sustained pressure on prices or a shift in the product mix over the years.

Production pepper in SADC

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of pepper, 2017-2020

World map of production of pepper, 2017-2020

Pepper production in the SADC region has grown for the third year in a row. In 2019, production stood at 29,460 tonnes, rising to 35,386 tonnes in 2020—a significant increase of 20.1%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production expanded by 47.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 13.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of pepper production in the SADC region has declined for the second consecutive year. In 2019, output was valued at 125.6 million US dollars, dropping slightly to 124.0 million US dollars in 2020—a decrease of 1.3%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 134.1 million US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 9.0%, while 2019 experienced the largest decline of 6.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in SADC in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports pepper from SADC

Exports in kind, t

Pepper export volumes from the SADC region have increased for the second year in a row. In 2019, exports were 6,700 tonnes, rising to 8,562 tonnes in 2020—a year-over-year growth of 27.8%. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 34.5%, with an annualized rate of 10.4%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 6,259 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 1.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, pepper exports in kind were spread across a diverse range of partner countries. The United States accounted for 9.5% of exports, Australia for 6.9%, and the United Arab Emirates for 4.9%, with these three countries together making up just 21.2% of total flows.

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, K $ US

The value of pepper exports from the SADC region rose in 2020. In 2019, exports were valued at 28,548 thousand US dollars, increasing to 30,007 thousand US dollars in 2020—a gain of 5.1%. However, over the period from 2017 to 2020, export value decreased by 7.9%, with an annualized decline of 2.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 33,066 thousand US dollars, while the lowest was in 2019, which also saw the largest decline of 13.7%.

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

An analysis of pepper exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 reveals a broad distribution across many markets. The United States accounted for 21.6% of exports, Australia for 10.6%, and Japan for 9.4%, with these three countries together representing only 41.6% of total flows, leaving a substantial 58.4% to other partners.

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

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

Imports pepper to SADC

Imports in kind, t

Pepper imports into the SADC region have grown for the second consecutive year. In 2019, imports were 4,820 tonnes, rising to 4,946 tonnes in 2020—an increase of 2.6%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 6.5%, with an annualized growth rate of 2.1%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 4,471 tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 3.7%, while 2019 experienced the largest increase of 7.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam dominated pepper imports in kind into the SADC region, accounting for 51.6% of the total. Brazil contributed 4.8% and China 4.0%, with these three countries together forming 60.4% 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, K $ US

The value of pepper imports into the SADC region has declined for the third year in a row. In 2019, imports were valued at 17,500 thousand US dollars, dropping to 16,114 thousand US dollars in 2020—a decrease of 7.9%. Between 2017 and 2020, import value fell by 45.4%, with an annualized decline of 18.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam remained the key partner for pepper imports in value terms into the SADC region, accounting for 52.6% of the total. Thailand contributed 8.4% and Singapore 7.8%, with these three countries together making up 68.7% 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