The import of fresh or chilled garlic to South Africa stood at 2.9632 million kilograms in 2023, showing a 2.94% year-on-year increase from 2022. Over the last two years, the imports experienced moderate growth with a combined year-on-year variation of around 6.04%. In the long-term perspective, considering the CAGR, the average annual growth rate over the past five years has been 3.55%. From 2024 and onwards, the import volumes are forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 2.19%, reaching 3.4057 million kilograms by 2028, reflecting an overall growth rate of 11.44% within this period.
Future trends to watch for include potential fluctuations in global garlic supply due to climate change, variations in local agricultural output that may affect import needs, and evolving trade policies that could influence import volumes. Monitoring consumer preferences and price changes in domestic markets will also be critical to understanding future import trends.