Strawberries market in Sub-Saharan Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The fresh strawberry market in Sub-Saharan Africa saw its volume grow to 11 195 t in 2019, then contract over the next two years before stabilizing around 10 000 t from 2022 to 2023. In contrast, the market's value demonstrated strong growth, rising from $47.1 million in 2018 to $61.1 million in 2023, with a particularly sharp increase of 32% in 2022.

This divergence between volume and value trends indicates a shift in market dynamics, where factors such as product mix or pricing had a greater impact on total market worth than physical consumption alone during the later years of the period.

In 2024, the market continued to be influenced by major regional suppliers like Morocco, which maintained robust export levels to international markets due to its emphasis on product traceability and strict sanitary standards, affecting the supply chain for Sub-Saharan Africa.

Production strawberries in Sub-Saharan Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of strawberries, 2017-2020

World map of production of strawberries, 2017-2020

Strawberry production in Sub-Saharan Africa has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 11 727 tonnes of strawberries, marking a modest 6.1% rise compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 18.6%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 5.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 9 649 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 2.4%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the most significant increase, with production jumping by 14.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The value of strawberry production in Sub-Saharan Africa has risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 52 866 thousand US dollars, representing a 4.3% year-on-year increase. From 2017 to 2020, the production value grew by 20.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.3%.

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

Exports strawberries from Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, t

The export market for strawberries from Sub-Saharan Africa showed considerable volatility during this period. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 369 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 3.2%. By 2020, exports surged to 3 016 tonnes, a 91.9% increase compared to 2019. Overall, there was a 2.2-fold difference between the minimum in 2018 and the maximum in 2020.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the key buyers of strawberries from Sub-Saharan Africa in terms of volume were Saudi Arabia (26.4% of exports), the United Arab Emirates (18.8%), and Qatar (4.1%). Together, these three countries accounted for 49.3% of total exports, while the remaining 50.7% was distributed among numerous other trading partners.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of strawberry exports from Sub-Saharan Africa has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 13 597 thousand US dollars, reflecting an 88.6% gain over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value grew by 116.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 29.3%.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, the leading destinations for strawberry exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in value terms were Saudi Arabia (28.3% of exports), the United Arab Emirates (26.8%), and Qatar (5.3%). These three countries collectively represented 60.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports strawberries to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, t

Strawberry imports into Sub-Saharan Africa declined in 2020, reaching 1 255 tonnes, which was a 27.0% decrease from the previous year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 719 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 23.4%. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports fell by 23%, with a compound annual growth rate of -8.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, strawberry imports into Sub-Saharan Africa in terms of volume were relatively evenly distributed. Egypt (43.4% of imports), France (2.6%), and Portugal (1.7%) were the top sources, but together they accounted for only 47.7% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Strawberry imports into Sub-Saharan Africa have declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 3 550 thousand US dollars, marking a 22.2% loss compared to the previous year. The peak import value was recorded in 2018 at 4 569 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 8.6%. Over the 2017–2020 period, import value decreased by 15.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.5%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, strawberry imports into Sub-Saharan Africa in value terms were not heavily concentrated. Egypt (21.8% of imports), France (7.0%), and the Netherlands (5.2%) were the leading sources, but together they represented only 33.9% of total import flows.

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

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