Uncooked pasta market in South Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The South African uncooked pasta market saw gradual growth from 38 524 t in 2018 to 44 766 t in 2020. This expansion was supported by the introduction of Regulation R638, which set food safety and hygiene standards for manufacturers, alongside a producer shift toward higher-margin pasta products amid declining wheat product consumption. In 2020, a reported 9.6% year‑on‑year increase in pasta imports indicated rising market demand, further lifting the total market volume.

Market volume jumped sharply to 66 309 t in 2021, a rise of nearly 50% from the previous year. This was followed by a contraction to 56 447 t in 2022, with the market then stabilizing around 57 000 t in 2023, showing only marginal growth.

Moving into 2024‑2025, global supply‑chain disruptions and adverse weather in key grain‑producing regions affected raw material costs for pasta. Concurrently, the launch of a major ultra‑fresh food manufacturing facility in Johannesburg and upcoming food‑labeling regulations began to reshape the operating environment. Concerns over durum wheat supply shortages and growing consumer interest in plant‑based and functional foods pointed to evolving demand patterns.

Production uncooked pasta in South Africa

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of uncooked pasta, 2018-2021

World map of production of uncooked pasta, 2018-2021

Uncooked pasta production in South Africa has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 3 478 tonnes of uncooked pasta, marking a slight increase of 0.7% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 3.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.1%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In 2021, the output of uncooked pasta in South Africa was valued at 4 350 thousand US dollars, representing a modest rise of 8.3% from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, production increased by 13.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.3%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 11.1%, while the largest decline was recorded in 2020 at 5.8%.

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

Exports uncooked pasta from South Africa

Exports in kind, t

In 2021, uncooked pasta exports from South Africa amounted to 7 773 tonnes, showing a rise of 17.4% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports increased by 9.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.0%. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 8 870 tonnes, while the minimum was in 2020 at 6 622 tonnes. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 24.6%, and the largest decline was in 2020 at 25.3%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the main buyers of uncooked pasta from South Africa were Botswana (35.0% of exports in kind), Zambia (18.9% of exports in kind), and Lesotho (11.5% of exports in kind). Together, these three countries accounted for 65.4% of total exports in kind.

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

In 2021, South Africa's uncooked pasta exports reached 9 723 thousand US dollars, reflecting an improvement of 26.3% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports increased by 19.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.2%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 11 052 thousand US dollars, while the minimum was in 2020 at 7 699 thousand US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 36.0%, and the largest decline was in 2020 at 30.3%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the main markets for South Africa's uncooked pasta exports in value terms were Botswana (35.9% of exports in value terms), Zambia (15.7% of exports in value terms), and Lesotho (13.2% of exports in value terms). Collectively, these three countries represented 64.7% 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 uncooked pasta to South Africa

Imports in kind, t

Uncooked pasta imports into South Africa have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports totalled 70 604 tonnes, showing an abrupt advance of 47.3% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 67%, equating to an annualized rate of 18.6%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the main sources of uncooked pasta imports into South Africa in kind were Italy (22.3% of imports in kind), Namibia (19.6% of imports in kind), and Latvia (16.7% of imports in kind). Together, these three countries formed a cluster accounting for 58.6% of total import 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

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 and hit their maximum in 2021, with a two-fold difference between these years. In 2021, foreign uncooked pasta supplies to South Africa totalled 68 801 thousand US dollars, up by 93.8% versus the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 33 592 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 3.4%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the leading destinations for uncooked pasta imports into South Africa in value terms were Italy (28.9% of imports in value terms), Namibia (19.8% of imports in value terms), and Eswatini (14.5% of imports in value terms). Jointly, these three countries accounted for 63.3% 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