Prepared mushrooms and truffles market in South Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for prepared mushrooms and truffles in South Africa expanded from 4 935 t in 2018 to 8 022 t in 2023. This growth accelerated in 2020, supported by a global increase in vegan populations and a shift towards high-nutrition foods, which raised demand for mushrooms. The trend continued into 2022 as consumers focused more on plant-based options, using mushrooms as meat substitutes due to their texture and nutritional value.

In value terms, the market rose from USD 9.4 million in 2018 to USD 18.2 million in 2022, moving in line with volume. However, in 2023, the market value fell to USD 14.4 million while volume increased to 8 022 t. During this year, mushrooms remained popular in culinary applications, with techniques like crosshatch cutting enhancing their visual appeal on social media.

In 2024, mushroom popularity continued to rise, and producers faced pressure from higher electricity costs. The following year saw the introduction of Bianchetto truffles as a new product segment and the closure of Denny, a major player, which created opportunities for new market entrants.

Production prepared mushrooms and truffles in South Africa

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Between 2018 and 2021, South Africa ranked as the 11th largest producer of prepared mushrooms and truffles globally, positioning it among the world's leading producers in this category.

Top producers of prepared mushrooms and truffles, 2018-2021

World map of production of prepared mushrooms and truffles, 2018-2021

South Africa's production of prepared mushrooms and truffles grew for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 5 943 tonnes, a 9.4% increase from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production rose by 45%, with an average annual growth rate of 13.2%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

The value of prepared mushrooms and truffles production in South Africa increased for the third year in a row. In 2021, output was valued at 14 798 thousand US dollars, reflecting a solid 18.5% rise compared to 2020. From 2018 to 2021, production value grew by 71%, with an average annual growth rate of 19.6%.

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

Exports prepared mushrooms and truffles from South Africa

Exports in kind, t

After two years of decline, South Africa's exports of prepared mushrooms and truffles rebounded in 2021. Exports reached 224 tonnes, a sharp 28.0% increase from 2020. However, over the 2018-2021 period, exports fell by 34.9%, with an average annual decline of 13.3%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 175 tonnes, which also saw the largest drop of 32.5%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Namibia, Zambia, and Botswana were the top destinations for South Africa's prepared mushrooms and truffles exports by volume. Namibia accounted for 53.8% of exports, Zambia for 21.6%, and Botswana for 6.8%, together making up 82.1% of total export flows.

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

Following a two-year decline, the value of prepared mushrooms and truffles exports from South Africa increased in 2021. Export value amounted to 557 thousand US dollars, a 38.7% rise from 2020. Despite this, exports decreased by 23.2% over the 2018-2021 period, with an average annual decline of 8.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 402 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest drop of 30.6%.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, Namibia, Botswana, and Zambia dominated South Africa's prepared mushrooms and truffles exports in value terms, collectively accounting for 78.9% of total export flows.

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 prepared mushrooms and truffles to South Africa

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year decrease, South Africa's imports of prepared mushrooms and truffles rose in 2021. Imports totaled 948 tonnes, a robust 19.2% increase year-over-year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports declined by 19.6%, with an average annual decrease of 7.0%. The lowest import volume was in 2020 at 795 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 22.0%.

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

In the 2018-2021 period, the Netherlands and China led South Africa's imports of prepared mushrooms and truffles by volume, together accounting for 86.0% of total import flows, with other partners playing a supplementary role.

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

In 2021, South Africa's imports of prepared mushrooms and truffles were valued at 1 284 thousand US dollars, down 3.1% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports decreased by 15.3%, equating to an average annual decline of 5.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 242 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest drop of 18.0%. In contrast, 2020 experienced the largest increase of 6.6%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the Netherlands, China, and Belgium were the primary sources for South Africa's prepared mushrooms and truffles imports by value. The Netherlands accounted for 64.0% of imports, China for 15.7%, and Belgium for 10.6%, together making up 90.3% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2021