South Africa

With the continued development of the health and wellness industry in South Africa, children are being increasingly targeted as a significant consumer group for healthier soft drinks. Much of this is being driven by local parents, who are becoming…

Private label snacks have grown in popularity as South Africans seek affordable alternatives to well-known, established brands. Retailers are capitalising on this trend by investing in research and development to create innovative snacks that cater…

Hot drink innovations in 2022 were primarily focused on new offerings addressing consumer demand for non-animal products, including healthy plant-based alternatives, across chocolate-based, malt-based and other plant-based drinks. However, these…

2022 was a challenging year for many South Africans challenged by continuous blackouts, rising food inflation and unemployment. While consumers reduced non-essential spending to help balance household budgets, healthy eating remained top of mind.…

Globally, young adults are the key consumers of plant-based foods, and South Africa is no different. South Africa ranks in the top five countries that ordered the most vegan dishes according to UberEats, with vegan burgers reported as the most…

The health and wellness industry continues to grow in importance post-pandemic as consumers become more aware of the negative health impact of processed foods, seeking healthier foods and beverages from a range of claims such as natural, organic,…

The global economy is facing weaker growth and increasing fragmentation, as a result of rising geopolitical tensions, especially due to the war in Ukraine and the US-China strategic rivalry. Protectionism, industrial policy and a focus on resilience…

Nut and seed based spreads remained the largest category in sweet spreads packaging in retail unit volumes in 2022, recording positive growth in line with demand for these popular products in South Africa. These products are generally perceived as…

Sauces is the largest packaging category in sauces, dips and condiments, driven by cooking and table sauces, in particular mayonnaise, ketchup and salad dressings. Home seclusion during the pandemic, especially in 2020, drove up demand for cooking…

Processed seafood, driven primarily by shelf stable seafood, continued to support demand for packaging volumes in South Africa in 2022. Shelf stable seafood, such as tuna, pilchards and sardines remain popular choices for South Africans due to the…

Metal food cans remained the dominant packaging in category within processed fruit and vegetables in 2022, driven by shelf stable fruit and vegetables, with shelf stable beans holding the largest retail unit volume share.

The increasing demand for plant-based dairy options in South Africa is mainly attributed to the greater adoption of healthy lifestyles for a wide range of reasons, from vegetarianism to dietary (such as intolerance to lactose) and environmental…

In the forecast period, new car sales will be supported by an improved macroeconomy, while sales of electric vehicles (EVs) will be driven by incentives and a growing charging network. Public transport will aim to become more centralised, as taxis…

In South Africa, dry soup is well-liked as it is a strong option in areas with inconsistent access to energy or refrigeration, since it can be stored for long periods of time without refrigeration. Flexible plastic and folding cartons are frequently…

Thin wall plastic containers are widely favoured for packaging various dairy products, including butter and spreads and yoghurt in South Africa, due to their lightweight and durable nature. These containers offer a convenient solution for both…

Moisture and air exposure can lead to undesirable changes in the texture and taste of confectionery such as sugar confectionery, including gummies and chews, and chocolate confectionery, such as boxed assortments. As a result, flexible plastic…

Flexible plastic and folding cartons remained popular packaging types for dried baby food in South Africa (the second largest category in baby food packaging), as they are considered more lightweight and easy to transport, making them convenient for…

For many consumers wound care items are considered non-essential and appear rarely in monthly grocery shopping baskets. Wound care products are rarely bought in high volumes or even on a regular basis. Consumers who purchase wound care products only…

Despite the tough economic conditions in South Africa in 2023, consumers remain dedicated to their health and wellbeing. As such, they are still prioritising activities such as going to the gym, outdoor sports and taking a walk after work, with even…

During the review period, more consumers have prioritised their skin care. Despite the economic difficulties, consumers are still purchasing skin care products as there are various skin care ranges both locally and internationally that have a wide…