South Africa’s food industry is being reshaped by consumer spending and changing purchase habits. In 2023, households in urban areas spent an average of R5,200 per month on food, while 45% of South Africans reported eating processed foods every day. The shift shows up in demand for convenience foods and health-focused alternatives, including plant-based consumption reaching R2.5 billion in 2023.
Key Takeaways
- Household food expenditure averaged R5,200 per month in 2023 urban areas
- South Africa's food processing industry grew by 4.2% in 2022, valued at R450 billion
- South Africa's agricultural sector contributed 2.5% to GDP in 2022, with food production accounting for 65% of that value
- Supermarkets accounted for 65% of food retail sales in 2023, valued at R1.2 trillion total retail
- South Africa's agri-food exports totaled $12.5 billion in 2023, 10% of total exports
South Africa’s food industry is growing steadily, driven by consumer demand and improved supply performance.
Related reading
01 · Category
Consumer Trends and Consumption20 stats
01
Household food expenditure averaged R5,200 per month in 2023 urban areas
02
45% of South Africans consumed processed foods daily in 2023 survey
03
Plant-based food consumption grew 28% to R2.5 billion in 2023
04
Average daily calorie intake was 2,800 kcal per capita in 2022, carbs 55%
05
62% of consumers preferred local produce in 2023, price sensitivity high
06
Ready-to-eat meal consumption up 18% post-COVID, 35% weekly purchase rate
07
Soft drink consumption averaged 45 liters per capita annually in 2022
08
28% obesity rate among adults in 2023, linked to sugary snacks intake
09
Organic food market reached R8 billion in 2023, 12% growth, urban millennials driving
10
Bread consumption was 45 kg per capita yearly in 2022, white bread 75%
11
Poultry meat intake averaged 40 kg per person in 2023, highest protein source
12
Dairy product consumption 220 liters milk equivalent per capita 2022
13
Snack spending rose 10% to R1,200 annual per household in 2023
14
55% of meals home-cooked in 2023, down from 70% pre-2020
15
Functional foods sales up 15% to R12 billion in 2023, probiotics leading
16
Alcoholic beverage consumption 4.5 liters pure alcohol per capita 2022
17
Fruit juice intake 12 liters per capita yearly 2023, fortified variants 40%
18
38% vegetarians/vegans in urban youth 2023, influencing meat decline
19
Instant noodle consumption 8 packs per capita monthly 2023
20
Food waste per household 25 kg annually 2022, fruits/veg 50%
Interpretation
Consumer Trends and Consumption Interpretation
South Africa's food scene is a tale of two pantries: one filled with convenient, carb-heavy staples and sugary drinks fueling a health crisis, while the other—stocked by price-conscious but aspirational locals—sprouts with organic greens, plant-based alternatives, and probiotic potions, all while an alarming amount of good food sadly ends up in the bin.
02 · Category
Manufacturing and Processing19 stats
01
South Africa's food processing industry grew by 4.2% in 2022, valued at R450 billion
02
Baked goods segment in food processing had a market value of R120 billion in 2023, employing 150,000 workers
03
Beverage manufacturing output increased 5.8% to R180 billion in 2022, led by soft drinks
04
Meat processing plants numbered 1,200 in 2023, processing 1.5 million tons annually
05
Dairy processing capacity was 4.5 billion liters per year in 2022, with 60% pasteurized milk
06
Canned food production reached 2.8 billion units in 2022, with vegetables at 45%
07
Edible oils refining capacity stood at 1.2 million tons in 2023, sunflower oil 55%
08
Frozen food production grew 7% to 850,000 tons in 2022, poultry products dominant
09
Snack food manufacturing valued R65 billion in 2023, crisps and nuts leading categories
10
Flour milling output was 3.2 million tons in 2022, wheat flour 85% of total
11
Sugar refining processed 2.2 million tons in 2022/23, with 40% refined white sugar
12
Fruit juice processing yielded 1.1 billion liters in 2022, orange juice 30% share
13
Bread production totaled 2.5 billion loaves in 2023, white bread 70%
14
Pasta manufacturing output reached 450,000 tons in 2022, durum wheat based 60%
15
Baby food production was 120,000 tons in 2023, cereals segment 50%
16
Confectionery production valued R35 billion in 2022, chocolate 45% of market
17
Ready-to-eat meals processed 300,000 tons in 2023, up 12% from 2022
18
Cereal manufacturing output 250,000 tons in 2022, breakfast cereals 80%
19
Jam and preserves production 85,000 tons in 2023, fruit-based 90%
Interpretation
Manufacturing and Processing Interpretation
While South Africa's R450 billion food industry might look like a well-oiled machine on paper, it's really a bustling, carb-loaded, and occasionally caffeinated orchestra where bread is the conductor, soft drinks are the loudest soloists, and someone always seems to be frying crisps for the encore.
03 · Category
Production Statistics20 stats
01
South Africa's agricultural sector contributed 2.5% to GDP in 2022, with food production accounting for 65% of that value
02
Maize production in South Africa reached 15.4 million metric tons in the 2022/23 season, up 23% from previous year
03
South Africa produced 1.8 million tons of wheat in 2023, primarily from Western Cape and Free State provinces
04
Citrus production totaled 3.2 million tons in 2022/23, with oranges making up 55% of output
05
Dairy production yielded 3.8 billion liters of milk in 2022, with 70% from commercial farms
06
South African wine grape harvest was 1.02 million tons in 2023, down 12% due to drought effects
07
Poultry meat production hit 1.2 million tons in 2022, representing 80% of total meat output
08
Sugar cane crush reached 18.5 million tons in 2022/23, producing 2.1 million tons of sugar
09
Apple production in South Africa was 980,000 tons in 2022, mainly from Ceres region
10
Groundnut production totaled 105,000 tons in 2022/23, with 90% rain-fed farming
11
Sunflower seed production was 652,000 tons in 2022/23 season across 550,000 hectares
12
Potato production achieved 2.3 million tons in 2022, with Sandveld region contributing 40%
13
Sorghum production stood at 712,000 tons in 2022/23, used mainly for animal feed
14
Vegetable production reached 7.5 million tons in 2022, led by onions at 1.2 million tons
15
Avocado production was 180,000 tons in 2023, with Limpopo province at 60% share
16
Macadamia nut production hit 90,000 tons in 2023, up 15% year-on-year
17
Pear production totaled 550,000 tons in 2022, exported to over 40 countries
18
Beef production was 550,000 tons in 2022, with feedlot finishing for 75% of slaughter cattle
19
Pork production reached 240,000 tons in 2022, 95% from intensive systems
20
Mango production was 145,000 tons in 2023, with 70% for local market
Interpretation
Production Statistics Interpretation
While South Africa's agricultural sector may seem to be just a small slice of the GDP pie, the heft of its golden maize, the tang of its citrus, and the very milk in your coffee prove it is the robust, drought-fighting backbone keeping the nation's plate full and its economy chewing.
More related reading
04 · Category
Retail and Distribution18 stats
01
Supermarkets accounted for 65% of food retail sales in 2023, valued at R1.2 trillion total retail
02
Shoprite Group held 18% market share in food retail in 2023, with 2,900 stores
03
Pick n Pay operated 2,200 outlets in 2023, contributing R100 billion in food sales
04
Informal markets handled 30% of fresh produce distribution in 2022, urban areas dominant
05
Woolworths food sales reached R85 billion in 2023, premium segment 100% own-label
06
SPAR group had 2,500 stores in 2023, wholesale distribution to 85% independents
07
E-commerce food sales grew 25% to R45 billion in 2023, platforms like Checkers Sixty60 leading
08
Fresh produce markets like Johannesburg Market supplied 1.5 million tons annually in 2022
09
Convenience stores numbered 15,000 in 2023, 40% food and beverage sales
10
Hypermarkets contributed 25% of grocery sales in 2023, average size 5,000 sqm
11
Discount retailers like Usave grew 15% sales to R20 billion in 2023
12
Food wholesalers distributed 8 million tons of dry goods in 2022
13
Logistics costs in food distribution averaged 12% of retail price in 2023
14
Cold chain logistics capacity expanded 10% to 500,000 pallet spaces in 2023
15
Takeaway and quick-service restaurants served 2.5 billion meals in 2022
16
Liquor retail outlets totaled 25,000 in 2023, off-premise sales 70%
17
Pharmacy chains like Dis-Chem had 20% food sales share in 2023, R15 billion value
18
Fuel forecourt stores contributed 8% to food retail, 50,000 daily transactions average
Interpretation
Retail and Distribution Interpretation
While formal supermarkets may reign with R1.2 trillion in sales, South Africa's food landscape is a fascinating tug-of-war between corporate scale and a persistent, thriving informal hustle, proving the nation's shopping basket is served by both hypermarkets and street vendors.
05 · Category
Trade and Exports/Imports19 stats
01
South Africa's agri-food exports totaled $12.5 billion in 2023, 10% of total exports
02
Citrus exports reached 140 million cartons in 2023, EU market 45%
03
Wine exports valued $1.2 billion in 2023, UK and Germany top destinations
04
Maize exports were 2.8 million tons in 2022/23, Africa 60% share
05
Fruit exports totaled 1.1 million tons in 2023, apples and grapes leading
06
Meat exports reached 250,000 tons in 2023, beef to Middle East 40%
07
Dairy exports valued R15 billion in 2023, cheese to Africa dominant
08
Sugar exports 700,000 tons in 2022/23, raw sugar 80%
09
Processed food exports grew 8% to $4 billion in 2023, canned fruit key
10
Poultry exports banned to EU but 50,000 tons to Africa in 2023
11
Vegetable exports 450,000 tons in 2023, onions to Mozambique 30%
12
Nut exports macadamia 55,000 tons in 2023, China 50% market
13
Fruit juice concentrate exports 150,000 tons 2023
14
Food imports totaled $8.2 billion in 2023, wheat 25% value
15
Poultry imports 500,000 tons in 2023, mainly frozen bone-in from Brazil
16
Edible oils imports 900,000 tons 2023, palm oil 70%
17
Wheat imports 4.5 million tons in 2022/23, Russia/Ukraine sources
18
Rice imports 1.1 million tons annually 2023, Asia 90%
19
Processed meat imports valued R20 billion 2023
Interpretation
Trade and Exports/Imports Interpretation
While South Africa’s food industry showcases a thriving export portfolio built on citrus sunshine, award-winning wines, and niche nuts for the world, its heavy reliance on imported staples like wheat, poultry, and rice reveals a pantry that is impressively global yet precariously balanced.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Elif Demirci. (2026, February 13). South Africa Food Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/south-africa-food-industry-statistics
MLA
Elif Demirci. "South Africa Food Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/south-africa-food-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Elif Demirci. 2026. "South Africa Food Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/south-africa-food-industry-statistics.
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