Booming Succulent Market Beckons SA Farmers

Nearly half of the world’s succulent species are endemic to Southern Africa. Despite this, our commercial farmers have yet to cash in on the thriving global succulent market. Glenneis Kriel spoke to Anthony Rausch, chairperson of the Johannesburg Succulent Society, about the many exciting opportunities available, and ways to overcome production challenges.

Over the past decade, succulents have soared in popularity, thanks to the growing demand for alternative medicines, as well as gardeners seeking out droughttolerant, easy-to-grow plants.

The fragmented nature of South Africa’s succulent industry makes it difficult to quantify the value of local production, but in the US, nursery sales grew 64% between 2012 and 2017, surpassing the edible and grow-your-own-food categories, according to the 2017 State of the Industry Report.

“An inability to keep up with the rising demand has fuelled illegal harvesting, creating a black market worth billions of dollars,” says Anthony Rausch, chairperson of the Johannesburg Succulent Society, an affiliate of the Succulent Society of South Africa. “This, together with habitat loss and overgrazing in sensitive areas, is threatening the existence of almost a third of these plants.”

THIEVES CONVICTED

In California, there have been numerous reports of smugglers being caught with thousands of dollars’ worth of succulents, in particular the rare Dudleya farinosa.

In South Africa, a Spanish husband and wife team were sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment earlier this year, suspended for five years, and a fine of R2 million after being caught with 2 248 succulents they had collected in the Northern Cape, Western Cape and Namibia. Amongst the plants they had stolen were an endangered Aloidendron pillansii (giant quiver tree), as well as several other species listed in various threat categories on the Red List of South African Plants. The pair were also linked to a website hosted in Spain that offers a wide range of succulent plants for sale.

In May this year, four Chinese nationals, Yu Shi, Zeng Zang, Li Wei and Junbo Liu, were arrested after being caught near Kamieskroon in the Northern Cape with succulents worth an estimated R1,5 million.