Vegetable puree market in SADC

Earlier Report Observations

The vegetable puree market in SADC experienced significant volume fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. Starting at 4 787 tons in 2018, the market contracted for three consecutive years, falling to a low of 2 470 tons in 2021—a nearly 50% reduction from the initial level. This downward trajectory reversed sharply in 2022 and 2023, with the market expanding by 28% and 40% in consecutive years to reach 4 427 tons by the end of the period.

Changes in domestic production and international trade were central to these shifts. Local output declined from 4 086 tons in 2018 to 2 604 tons in 2023, with significant drops in 2019 and 2021. Import volumes were highly volatile, peaking at 1 518 tons in 2019 before falling and then recovering to 1 921 tons in 2023. Exports also varied dramatically, including a surge to 1 076 tons in 2019 that reduced domestic supply and a sharp drop to 99 tons in 2023 that contributed to the market's rebound.

By 2023, the market volume nearly matched its 2018 level, but its composition had changed: import dependency grew while domestic production capacity shrank, leaving the market more exposed to volatility in both local and international supply chains.

Production vegetable puree in SADC

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of vegetable puree, 2017-2020

World map of production of vegetable puree, 2017-2020

In 2019, vegetable puree production in SADC reached its lowest point at 3 334 tonnes. Production then rebounded in 2020 to 3 643 tonnes, marking a 9.3% increase from the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, overall production declined by 10.8%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 3.7%. The peak production occurred in 2018 at 4 086 tonnes, while the most significant drop was recorded in 2019 with an 18.4% decline.

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

Exports vegetable puree from SADC

Exports in kind, t

The export market for vegetable puree from SADC showed considerable volatility during this period. In 2018, exports hit their minimum at just 11 tonnes, representing a dramatic 99.3% decrease. The following year, 2019, saw the largest increase with a staggering 9 981.0% growth. By 2020, exports stood at 899 tonnes, which was 16.5% lower than in 2019. The overall variation was substantial, with exports in 2017 being 139 times higher than the 2018 minimum.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Special Categories emerged as the primary destination for SADC's vegetable puree exports in volume terms, accounting for 0.6% of the total export flows.

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, K $ US

SADC's vegetable puree exports in value terms declined for the third consecutive year in 2020, totaling 2 452 thousand US dollars, which was 15.9% lower than in 2019. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 33.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -12.5%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Special Categories remained the leading buyers of vegetable puree from SADC in value terms, representing 0.9% of total export revenues.

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

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

Imports vegetable puree to SADC

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes of vegetable puree into SADC experienced notable fluctuations from 2017 to 2020. In 2019, imports saw the largest increase at 113.3%. However, by 2020, imports dropped sharply to 526 tonnes, a steep 65.3% decline compared to 2019. The period began with peak imports in 2017 and ended with the lowest point in 2020, showing a 3.3-fold difference between these years.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China, France, and India consistently led as the top sources for SADC's vegetable puree imports in volume terms. China accounted for 15.4% of imports, France for 2.4%, and India for 0.7%. Together, these three countries represented 18.5% 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, K $ US

In 2020, the value of vegetable puree imports into SADC amounted to 2 506 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 27.6% decrease from 2019. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 23.5%. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports declined by 29.1%, with an annualized rate of -10.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, France, and India formed the key group of partners for SADC's vegetable puree imports in value terms. China contributed 5.7% of import value, France 5.3%, and India 1.2%. Collectively, they accounted for 12.3% of total import expenditures.

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

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