Market research

Potato market in South Africa

Release date: Mar 27, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

Report language:

Report language:

Submission method: to your account

File format: docx, xlsx

Single Report

$500

Instant access to detailed data on one specific market
Ideal for one-off tasks: niche assessments, presentations, investment decisions
Available in Excel and Word in 15 minutes after purchase
Cheaper than subscription, but each market requires a separate purchase

Best if you know exactly what you need

Buy a single report

Platform Subscription

from$600

Complete and unlimited data access across products and regions
Includes continuous data updates during subscription period
Download reports instantly in Word, and Excel formats
More cost-effective for multiple markets or regular analysis

Ideal for regular data users

View pricing plans

Earlier Report Observations

Following a drought in 2018 that reduced potato yields to their lowest level in decades, production rebounded in 2019 due to improved cultivation practices and higher yields. This increase supported a rise in domestic market volume to 2.5 million tons, alongside a notable shift in consumer purchases toward informal markets.

Market volume then entered a period of gradual decline, falling to 2.3 million tons by 2023. The later years were characterized by oversupply, driven by excellent growing conditions and expanded plantings in key regions like Limpopo, which holds an 80% market share.

This persistent oversupply exerted significant downward pressure on prices and contributed to volatile sales volumes, reflecting the market's adjustment to abundant harvests despite steady export growth to neighboring countries like Mozambique.

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, K 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, K 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, K 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, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, K 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, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, K 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, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, K 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, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, K 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, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K 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 potato in South Africa

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, South Africa ranked 27th globally in potato production.

Top producers of potato, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of potato, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Potato production in South Africa declined for the second year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 2 595 thousand tonnes of potatoes, marking a 2.8% decrease compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 5.2%, which translates to an average annual increase of 1.7%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 2 674 thousand tonnes, with the largest year-on-year growth of 8.3% also occurring that year.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	8.3%	(0.2%)	(2.8%)	1.7%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

After two years of decline, potato production in South Africa rebounded. In 2021, the output was valued at 734.2 million US dollars, representing an 11.0% increase from 2020. However, from 2018 to 2021, overall production value fell by 7.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 661.7 million US dollars, following the sharpest decline of 9.2% in 2019.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(9.2%)	(8.3%)	11.0%	(2.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports potato from South Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Potato exports from South Africa grew for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports reached 181.7 thousand tonnes, up 5.0% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports increased by 15.3%, averaging an annual growth rate of 4.8%.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	7.4%	2.2%	5.0%	4.8%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, Mozambique, Botswana, and Namibia were the key markets for South Africa's potato exports in volume terms. Mozambique accounted for 48.2% of exports, Botswana for 13.2%, and Namibia for 13.1%. Together, these three countries represented 74.5% of total export flows.

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

Following a two-year downturn, South Africa's potato export values rose. In 2021, exports were valued at 51 397 thousand US dollars, showing a strong increase of 19.8% compared to 2020. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 42 896 thousand US dollars, after the largest decline of 10.0% in 2019.

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	(10.0%)	(6.1%)	19.8%	0.4%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2018 and 2021, Mozambique, Namibia, and Botswana were the main destinations for South Africa's potato exports in value terms. Mozambique held a 32.7% share, Namibia 17.9%, and Botswana 16.5%. Collectively, these markets accounted for 67.1% of total export value.

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 potato to South Africa

Imports in kind, K t

Potato imports into South Africa increased for the third year in a row. In 2021, imports stood at 0.5 thousand tonnes, which is 32.4% higher than in 2020. From 2018 to 2021, imports surged by 258.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 53.1%.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	134.0%	15.8%	32.4%	53.1%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, the Netherlands was the primary source for South Africa's potato imports in volume terms, accounting for 75.5% of total flows. Other markets contributed smaller shares, forming a long tail of minor partners.

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

Potato import values into South Africa grew for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports reached 369 thousand US dollars, equivalent to a 29.8% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, import values soared by 887.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 114.6%.

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	484.7%	30.1%	29.8%	114.6%

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2018 to 2021, the Netherlands was the main supplier of potatoes to South Africa in value terms, capturing 84.3% of total imports. Other partners had relatively modest shares in comparison.

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