Tomato market in South Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The tomato market in South Africa grew from 518 thousand metric tons in 2018 to 584 thousand metric tons in 2020, supported by favorable climatic conditions in regions like Limpopo and stable distribution through the National Fresh Produce Markets. This expansion occurred despite ongoing pressures from high input costs, labor expenses, and intermittent electricity supply, which affected production conditions.

A sharp contraction followed, with the market volume falling to 465 thousand metric tons in 2022. This decline of 11% was primarily driven by market saturation with large volumes of tomatoes, which led to drastic price drops, alongside supply disruptions caused by rainfall and hail damage that affected yields. Persistent challenges such as power cuts and high production costs further strained smallholder farmers during this period.

The market rebounded in 2023, reaching 533 thousand metric tons, indicating a recovery from the previous year's low, though specific industry factors for this turnaround were not detailed in the available reports.

Production tomato in South Africa

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of tomato, 2018-2021

World map of production of tomato, 2018-2021

South Africa's tomato production volume declined after two years of growth. In 2020, production reached its peak at 599.3 thousand tonnes, but then fell by 11.4% to 530.8 thousand tonnes in 2021. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019, when production rose by 8.8%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

South Africa's tomato production value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, output was valued at 244.6 million US dollars, marking a 6.3% rise compared to 2020. The largest annual increase was recorded in 2020 at 9.4%, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 3.5%, when production hit its lowest point of 210.2 million US dollars. Overall, from 2018 to 2021, production value grew by 12.3%, averaging an annual increase of 3.9%.

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

Exports tomato from South Africa

Exports in kind, t

South Africa's tomato export volumes declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports totaled 18 786 tonnes, representing an 8.5% decrease compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, exports fell by 24%, with an average annual decline of 8.8%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Mozambique, Botswana, and Lesotho remained the main buyers of South African tomatoes by volume. Mozambique accounted for 45.9% of exports, Botswana for 20.3%, and Lesotho for 18.7%. Together, these three countries represented 84.9% of total export volumes.

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

After two years of decline, South Africa's tomato export value increased in 2021. Exports reached 8 657 thousand US dollars, showing a 9.8% rise compared to 2020. The largest annual decline was recorded in 2019 at 16.9%, while the lowest value occurred in 2020 at 7 884 thousand US dollars. Overall, from 2018 to 2021, export value decreased by 13.6%, with an average annual decline of 4.8%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Botswana, Lesotho, and Mozambique were the leading markets for South African tomato exports by value. Botswana accounted for 37.4% of export value, Lesotho for 21.1%, and Mozambique for 16.7%. Collectively, these three countries made up 75.1% of total export value.

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 tomato to South Africa

Imports in kind, t

South Africa's tomato import volumes showed significant fluctuations from 2018 to 2021. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 2 520 tonnes, then surged by 113.1% in 2020, and peaked in 2021 at 7 261 tonnes, representing a 35.2% increase year-over-year. The largest annual decline occurred in 2019 at 55.9%. Overall, imports varied by 2.9 times between the low in 2019 and the high in 2021.

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

From 2018 to 2021, South Africa's tomato imports by volume were highly concentrated, with Namibia accounting for 90.2% of total flows.

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

South Africa's tomato import value experienced notable fluctuations from 2018 to 2021. Imports bottomed out in 2019 at 1 357 thousand US dollars, then jumped by 95.7% in 2020, and peaked in 2021 at 4 527 thousand US dollars, marking a 70.4% increase year-over-year. The largest annual decline was recorded in 2019 at 11.8%. Overall, import value varied by 3.3 times between the low in 2019 and the high in 2021.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Namibia was the dominant partner for South Africa's tomato imports by value, accounting for 92.2% of total 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