南非蓝莓市场分析

Report Name:South African Blueberry Market Analysis Country:South Africa-Republic of Post:Pretoria Report Category:Fresh Fruit Prepared By:Pamela Ngqinani Approved By:Rachel Vanderberg Report Highlights: South Africa is expanding its role in the global blueberry market, supported by favorable productionconditions and strategic market positioning. Blueberry production in South Africa has grown to 38,900metric tons (MT) in marketing year (MY) 2025/26. Blueberry consumption in South Africa is growing,but production continues to be export focused. In MY 2024/25, South Africa exported 22,605 MT ofblueberries, a 6.7 percent increase from the previous season. While the United States recently gainedaccess to the South African blueberry market and could see some exports, the strongest opportunitiesremain in propagating materials. Contents 1.Market Overview................................................................................................................................32.Domestic Production...........................................................................................................................42.1Area Planted................................................................................................................................42.2Production...................................................................................................................................53.Consumption.......................................................................................................................................63.1.Fresh Consumption.....................................................................................................................63.2.Processing....................................................................................................................................74.Trade....................................................................................................................................................84.1.Imports.........................................................................................................................................84.2.Exports.........................................................................................................................................95.Regulations and Trade Policies........................................................................................................10 Report Notes: The marketing year (MY) for blueberries is September-August. The exchange rate used in thisreport (as of February 2, 2026) is15.8914 South African Rand (ZAR) to one U.S. dollar (USD). 1.Market Overview After 11 years of negotiations, South Africa officially granted market access for U.S. blueberrieson August 12, 2025. Although this agreement opens potential trade opportunitiesfor U.S.producers, the demand for imported fresh blueberries is small. In the past ten years, SouthAfrican production has grown to an estimated 38,900metric tons (MT)in MY2025/26. Areaplanted to blueberries peaked in MY2022/23 and has leveled off as producers look for newmarkets. Import quantities reached a high of 1,200MTin 2025, mainly coming from Zimbabweduring South Africa’s off season and sometimes being diverted into South Africa’s exportvolumes. Blueberries are seen as a luxury product inSouth Africa, although prices have been falling as thedomestic blueberry industry expanded. Industry marketing of blueberries as a health food hasincreased demand in higher-end supermarket chains. Domestic consumption of fresh blueberriesis expected tocontinue growing steadily in the near future. Processed products containingblueberries may also gain more popularity as the blueberry’s reputation as a health food grows. 2.Domestic Production 2.1Area Planted The South African blueberry industry is relatively young but has experienced rapid growth,particularly between 2018 and 2020 (see Figure 1). The area under blueberry productionincreased from 471 hectares in 2014/15 to a peak of 3,800 hectares in MY 2022/23, beforedeclining to 2,650 hectares in 2025/26. Blueberry producers believe there is potential in the South African blueberry market to support15,000 ha in production over the next 20 years; however, since MY 2023/24 the area underproduction has trended downward as growers face pressure from price volatility, rising inputcosts, high transport costs, and logistical disruptions. Industry stakeholders remain optimisticabout recovery, as prices have reportedly rebounded from the lows recorded three seasons ago. Blueberry production in South Africa spans a wide range of climates, from the cooler regions ofthe Western Cape to thesubtropical areas of Limpopo and Mpumalanga. This diversity hasdriven the adoption of a variety of cultivars, bred for adaptability to different chill levels. •Western Cape:South Africa’s leading blueberry-producing region, accounting forapproximately 60percent of national production. Har