Uncooked pasta market in SADC

Earlier Report Observations

The uncooked pasta market in SADC contracted significantly from 359 тыс. т in 2018 to 150 тыс. т in 2023. This decline was influenced by rising staple food prices since 2020 due to climate change and global market disruptions, which reduced consumer purchasing power and demand. Additionally, shifting consumer preferences towards plant-based foods and local grains, as observed in South African trends, altered consumption patterns and contributed to the market's downward trajectory.

Domestic production fluctuated during this period, reaching 57 тыс. т in both 2021 and 2023. The production increase in 2023 coincided with large food companies facing rising regulatory pressure and commodity costs, which pushed them to optimize manufacturing processes and access new markets with innovative products. Imports fell sharply from 333 тыс. т in 2018 to 109 тыс. т in 2023, partly due to supply chain disruptions, port delays, and rising global input costs affecting the food retail and wholesale sectors.

By 2024, wheat import dependency and exchange rate volatility continued to impact input costs for pasta production, while exports grew to 50 тыс. т, reflecting improved competitiveness. Supply chain challenges and the expansion of private-label products for budget-conscious consumers further shaped the market's dynamics in the later years of the period.

Production uncooked pasta in SADC

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of uncooked pasta, 2017-2020

World map of production of uncooked pasta, 2017-2020

After a two-year decline, SADC's production of uncooked pasta increased in 2020. That year, 37,314 tonnes were produced, marking a 4.1% rise from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 17.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 35,849 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 17.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in SADC in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports uncooked pasta from SADC

Exports in kind, K t

SADC's exports of uncooked pasta in volume terms declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, export volume stood at 4.1 thousand tonnes, representing a sharp year-over-year decrease of 55.9%. From 2017 to 2020, exports dropped by 66.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 30.6%. The peak was in 2018 at 17.5 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest increase of 42.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from SADC in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, France was the primary market for SADC's uncooked pasta exports in volume terms, accounting for 6.6% of total exports.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

SADC's exports of uncooked pasta in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 14.7 million US dollars, showing a significant 33.1% drop compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 32.7%, with an annualized rate of 12.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 29.1 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 32.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from SADC in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, France, Nigeria, and Ireland were the key destinations for SADC's uncooked pasta exports in value terms. France accounted for 10.4% of exports, Nigeria for 0.8%, and Ireland for 0.7%, together making up 11.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports uncooked pasta to SADC

Imports in kind, K t

SADC's imports of uncooked pasta in volume terms fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 175.1 thousand tonnes, down by a moderate 10.0% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 26.2%, with an annualized rate of 9.6%. The maximum volume was in 2018 at 333.2 thousand tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 41.6%. The largest increase was also in 2018, at 40.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to SADC in kind, 2017-2020, K t

During 2017-2020, the leading sources for SADC's uncooked pasta imports in volume terms were Turkey, Egypt, and Oman. Turkey contributed 49.7% of imports, Egypt 16.7%, and Oman 5.2%, collectively accounting for 71.6% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

SADC's imports of uncooked pasta in value terms declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 111.1 million US dollars, decreasing by 6.6% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 38.5%, with an annualized rate of 15.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to SADC in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Over the 2017-2020 period, Turkey, Egypt, and Italy were the top destinations in SADC's import structure in value terms. Turkey represented 41.1% of imports, Egypt 13.1%, and Italy 9.1%, together comprising 63.3% of total import flows.

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

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