Starchy Roots in South Africa

April 2026

Volume growth of starchy roots in 2025 was driven by their role as affordable, filling staples in home-cooked meals. Potatoes benefited from a bumper harvest that boosted supply, lowered prices and reinforced their position as a key value carbohydrate during a time of ongoing cost-of-living pressures. Sweet potatoes was the fastest-growing category, supported by rising health awareness, their versatility and strong visibility through social media, which promoted them as a nutritious and convenie

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Overview:

Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Starchy Roots industry in South Africa with research from Euromonitor International's team of in-country analysts – experts by industry and geographic specialisation.

Key trends are clearly and succinctly summarised alongside the most current research data available. Understand and assess competitive threats and plan corporate strategy with our qualitative analysis, insight and confident growth projections.

If you're in the Starchy Roots industry in South Africa, our research will help you to make informed, intelligent decisions; to recognise and profit from opportunity, or to offer resilience amidst market uncertainty.

The Starchy Roots in South Africa report includes:

  • Analysis of key supply-side and demand trends
  • Detailed segmentation of international and local products
  • Historic volume and value sizes
  • Five year forecasts of market trends and market growth
  • Robust and transparent research methodology, conducted in-country

This report answers:

  • What is the market size of Starchy Roots in South Africa?
  • What is the impact of commodity price fluctuations on local production and consumption?
  • What are the key campaigns or legislation driving Starchy Roots sales?
  • How are consumer attitudes towards fresh food evolving?
  • How significant is health and wellness in shaping consumer demand?
  • Where is future growth expected to be most dynamic?

Starchy Roots in South Africa - Category analysis

KEY DATA FINDINGS

Affordability and health trend drive growth in 2025
Affordable, filling staples appeal during a time of cost-of-living pressures
Potato premiumisation
Starchy roots to remain firmly embedded in consumers’ diets
Evolving health and lifestyle demands set to benefit the category
Summary 1 Major Processors of Starchy Roots 2025
Table 1 Total Sales of Starchy Roots by Category: Total Volume 2020-2025
Table 2 Total Sales of Starchy Roots by Category: % Total Volume Growth 2020-2025
Table 3 Retail Sales of Starchy Roots by Category: Volume 2020-2025
Table 4 Retail Sales of Starchy Roots by Category: % Volume Growth 2020-2025
Table 5 Retail Sales of Starchy Roots by Category: Value 2020-2025
Table 6 Retail Sales of Starchy Roots by Category: % Value Growth 2020-2025
Table 7 Retail Sales of Starchy Roots by Packaged vs Unpackaged: % Volume 2020-2025
Table 8 Forecast Total Sales of Starchy Roots by Category: Total Volume 2025-2030
Table 9 Forecast Total Sales of Starchy Roots by Category: % Total Volume Growth 2025-2030
Table 10 Forecast Retail Sales of Starchy Roots by Category: Volume 2025-2030
Table 11 Forecast Retail Sales of Starchy Roots by Category: % Volume Growth 2025-2030
Table 12 Forecast Retail Sales of Starchy Roots by Category: Value 2025-2030
Table 13 Forecast Retail Sales of Starchy Roots by Category: % Value Growth 2025-2030

Fresh Food in South Africa - Industry Overview

Growth increasingly constrained by acute supply-side pressures

KEY DATA FINDINGS

Affordability and heightened health awareness influence consumers’ choices
Increasingly polarised market
Modest growth, with several challenges remaining prevalent
Home cooking will continue to underpin demand for fresh food
Supermarkets lead, offering broad assortments, competitive pricing and convenience
Flexibility, convenience and familiarity support small local grocers’ strong footfall
Table 14 Total Sales of Fresh Food by Category: Total Volume 2020-2025
Table 15 Total Sales of Fresh Food by Category: % Total Volume Growth 2020-2025
Table 16 Retail Sales of Fresh Food by Category: Volume 2020-2025
Table 17 Retail Sales of Fresh Food by Category: % Volume Growth 2020-2025
Table 18 Retail Sales of Fresh Food by Category: Value 2020-2025
Table 19 Retail Sales of Fresh Food by Category: % Value Growth 2020-2025
Table 20 Retail Sales of Fresh Food by Packaged vs Unpackaged: % Volume 2020-2025
Table 21 Retail Distribution of Fresh Food by Format: % Volume 2020-2025
Table 22 Forecast Total Sales of Fresh Food by Category: Total Volume 2025-2030
Table 23 Forecast Total Sales of Fresh Food by Category: % Total Volume Growth 2025-2030
Table 24 Forecast Retail Sales of Fresh Food by Category: Volume 2025-2030
Table 25 Forecast Retail Sales of Fresh Food by Category: % Volume Growth 2025-2030
Table 26 Forecast Retail Sales of Fresh Food by Category: Value 2025-2030
Table 27 Forecast Retail Sales of Fresh Food by Category: % Value Growth 2025-2030

COUNTRY REPORTS DISCLAIMER

Summary 2 Research Sources
The following categories and subcategories are included:

Starchy Roots

  • Cassava
  • Potatoes
  • Sweet Potatoes
  • Other Roots

Starchy Roots

This is the aggregation of fresh and dried unprocessed potatoes, cassava, sweet potatoes and other roots. Starchy root-based products such as chips, crisps as well as flour are excluded.

See all of our definitions
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This report originates from Passport, our Starchy Roots research and analysis database.

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