South Africa: Date Market 2024

Date Market Size in South Africa

In 2022, after three years of growth, there was significant decline in the South African date market, when its value decreased by X% to $X. Over the period under review, consumption continues to indicate a significant expansion. Date consumption peaked at $X in 2021, and then declined in the following year.

Date Production in South Africa

In value terms, date production stood at less than $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production showed a relatively flat trend pattern.

The average yield of dates in South Africa was estimated at less than X kg per ha in 2022, standing approx. at the previous year. In general, the yield showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

The date harvested area in South Africa was estimated at less than X ha in 2022, stabilizing at the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, the harvested area saw a relatively flat trend pattern.

Date Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2022, the amount of dates exported from South Africa surged to X tons, growing by X% on the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a resilient expansion. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, date exports soared to $X in 2022. In general, exports enjoyed a temperate increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons) was the main destination for date exports from South Africa, accounting for a X% share of total exports. Moreover, date exports to the Netherlands exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, the UK (X tons), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Botswana (X tons), with a X% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to the Netherlands stood at X%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the UK (X% per year) and Botswana (X% per year).

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) remains the key foreign market for dates exports from South Africa, comprising X% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by the UK ($X), with a X% share of total exports. It was followed by the United Arab Emirates, with an X% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to the Netherlands totaled X%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the UK (X% per year) and the United Arab Emirates (X% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average date export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, dropping by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price saw a abrupt curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the average export price increased by X%. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was France ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Lesotho ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Namibia (X%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Date Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas purchases of dates, when their volume decreased by X% to X tons. Overall, total imports indicated prominent growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of X% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by X% against 2012 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of X% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2021, and then shrank in the following year.

In value terms, date imports declined dramatically to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a buoyant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when imports increased by X%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Namibia (X tons) constituted the largest date supplier to South Africa, with a X% share of total imports. Moreover, date imports from Namibia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Pakistan (X tons), twofold. Saudi Arabia (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a X% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Namibia stood at X%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Pakistan (X% per year) and Saudi Arabia (X% per year).

In value terms, Namibia ($X) constituted the largest supplier of dates to South Africa, comprising X% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Saudi Arabia ($X), with a X% share of total imports. It was followed by Pakistan, with an X% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Namibia totaled X%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Saudi Arabia (X% per year) and Pakistan (X% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average date import price amounted to $X per ton, which is down by X% against the previous year. Overall, the import price recorded a mild decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when the average import price increased by X%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2020 to 2022, the average import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Namibia ($X per ton), while the price for Swaziland ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Namibia (X%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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