South African fresh fruit exports have stopped climbing for 2023. This year, 4.16 million tons were exported, compared to 4.25 million tons in 2022. That is a decrease of 2%, while in the preceding years, South African fruit exports rose significantly. In 2016, the three million-ton threshold was reached, and in 2021, for the first time, that country exported four million tons. These figures are based on developments in the first ten months of 2023, which typically account for 95% of the annual total.
Most to the Netherlands, but slightly less in 2023
The Netherlands buys the most South African fruit. This year, those exports were slightly less than 2022's record quantity. Then, it was 945,000 tons; this year, it was 936,000 tons.
However, South Africa exported more to European Union countries like Italy and Spain this year, so a slight increase was recorded for the entire EU27. South Africa sends about a third of its fruit to those countries.
The largest decline occurred in exports to South and East Asian countries, where South Africa managed to sell 723,000 tons. This was 10% less than the 803,000 tons of 2022. Yet, this year, a record amount was exported to countries in the Middle East and Africa.
Far fewer exports to the United Kingdom
Regarding individual countries, after the Netherlands, the United Kingdom is the second largest buyer. Exports to that country fell sharply this year, by almost 10%, to just over 400,000 tons. But, a substantial increase in exports to the United Arab Emirates offset that. This year, exports to the UAE grew by nearly 20% to 381,000 tons compared to 323,000 tons in 2022.
Russia buys the fourth most South African fruit. At 280,000 tons, this year's sales to that country remained almost the same as in 2022. China, Canada, the United States, Portugal, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, Bangladesh, and Italy complete the buyers' list.
The Netherlands gets a fifth of its fruit from South Africa
South Africa is the leading supplier of fresh fruit, excluding bananas, to the Netherlands. This year, just like last year, South Africa's share will be around 21%. That is somewhat down. As mentioned, the Netherlands is South Africa's primary buyer, with a reasonably stable share of about 23%. South Africa is, after Spain, the UK's second-largest fruit supplier, again excluding bananas. That share has hovered at around 17% in recent years.
Mandarins and avocados grow the most; fewer blueberries
With a roughly 30% share, oranges are the most important South African fruit export product. This year's 1.26 million ton exports were slightly smaller than in the previous two years. The Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates, and Russia are the main buyers.
Apples are the second largest South African export product. With over 600,000 tons, this year's exports of that fruit were almost the same as in 2022. The United Kingdom buys the most South African apples, but many also go to other African countries. Mandarins come in at number three, of which exports are growing rapidly.
This year, it increased by another 20% to 621,000 tons. That is 100,000 tons more than in 2022. The Netherlands is the main buyer, but quite a lot go to the UK and North America. Then, it is lemons, whose exports rose slightly in 2023. In fifth place: grapes. But here, South African exports fell sharply this year to 325,000 tons. In 2022, that was 415,000 tons.
Other larger export products are pears and grapefruit. Then, there is a big gap to plums and the growth product avocados (from 63,000 tons to 71,000 tons). Far behind are blueberries. At 25,000 tons, fewer of those were exported than in 2022. Before that, South African blueberry exports grew rapidly.
Click here for the background figures.
For more information:
Jan Kees Boon
Fruit and Vegetable Facts
www.fruitandvegetablefacts.com
[email protected]