Spinach market in Southern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the fresh spinach market in Southern Africa experienced significant volume fluctuations. Market size grew by 60% to 997 tons in 2019, driven by a sharp rise in domestic production to 890 tons and imports doubling to 126 tons, while exports collapsed by 81%. The market then contracted by 33% to 672 tons in 2020 as production fell and exports rebounded, before recovering gradually to 807 tons in 2022 and edging down to 780 tons in 2023.

In March 2023, the Competition Commission launched the Fresh Produce Market Inquiry, targeting spinach as a strategic commodity to investigate competition barriers. The inquiry revealed an oligopoly among fresh produce agents, inefficient municipal markets, and high entry barriers for disadvantaged farmers. By 2024, these structural issues contributed to a 57% increase in average spinach prices at major markets like Durban, while marketed volumes dropped by 91% quarter-on-quarter in early 2024. The ongoing inquiry led to recommendations for improving market access and transparency.

Production spinach in Southern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of spinach, 2017-2020

World map of production of spinach, 2017-2020

Spinach production in Southern Africa experienced a two-year growth period before declining. In 2020, production fell to 686 t, representing a 22.9% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 32.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.8%. The peak production was recorded in 2019 at 890 t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 37.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Southern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The market displayed significant volatility during this period. The value of spinach output reached its lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 2.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, spinach production was valued at 11 711 K $ US in Southern Africa, marking a 29.2% decline from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 16 550 K $ US, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 75.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Southern Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports spinach from Southern Africa

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed considerable volatility throughout the observed period. The lowest exports were recorded in 2019 at 18.9 t, while the highest occurred in 2018 at 101.5 t, creating a 5.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Southern Africa's spinach exports reached 87.6 t, representing a substantial 363.6% increase compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 81.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Mozambique accounted for 6.7% of spinach exports by volume, Angola represented 0.9%, and Malawi contributed 0.8%. Together, these three countries represented 8.3% of total export flows from Southern Africa.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Following two years of growth, the value of spinach exports from Southern Africa declined. In 2020, exports totaled 241.1 K $ US, representing a significant 28.1% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export values increased by 16.3%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 5.2%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 335.1 K $ US, which also saw the largest annual increase of 39.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Mozambique accounted for 11.9% of spinach export value, Angola represented 1.3%, and Malawi contributed 1.1%. Collectively, these three destinations accounted for 14.3% of total export value from Southern Africa.

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

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

Imports spinach to Southern Africa

Imports in kind, t

Import data revealed irregular patterns, indicating a volatile market environment. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 72.8 t, while the highest occurred in 2019 at 125.9 t, representing a 1.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Southern Africa imported approximately 73.2 t of spinach, marking a 41.9% decrease compared to the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 72.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Niue and Mozambique were the primary sources for spinach imports to Southern Africa, together accounting for 3.3% of total import volumes.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, the value of spinach imports to Southern Africa declined. In 2020, imports totaled 191.7 K $ US, representing a 38.2% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import values increased by 10%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.2%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 310.4 K $ US, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 53.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium was the largest source of spinach imports to Southern Africa by value, accounting for 0.7% of total import flows.

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

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