South Africa Upcycled Food Product Market Overview, 2031

Key Insights

• South Africa generates approximately 10 million tonnes of food waste annually, resulting in an estimated economic loss of around ZAR 61 billion (USD 3.6 billion). Organic waste is the largest component of the country’s general waste stream, accounting for 27% of total waste disposed, with food waste representing nearly one-third of this category. Current landfill disposal practices are estimated to create socio-environmental costs of approximately ZAR 8.7 billion annually, according to research referenced by The Conversation.
• The South African government introduced the Strategy for Reducing Food Losses and Waste 2025–2030 in August 2025 under the National Environmental Management Waste Act (NEMWA) Act No. 59 of 2008. The strategy addresses the entire food supply chain, from farm to consumer, with the objective of reducing food waste through new technologies, circular economy practices, and improved food security.
• South Africa has developed an emerging upcycled food ecosystem that includes digital surplus redistribution platforms, industrial biorefinery infrastructure, university-led innovation programs, and entrepreneurial waste valorisation initiatives. Still Good has expanded its digital platform to more than 80 Pick n Pay, Spar, and Food Lovers Market stores across several provinces, while Refreshi has built a network of over 95,000 active users and more than 280 partners across major cities.

Market Outlook

• According to the research report, " South Africa Upcycled Food Products Market Outlook, 2031," published by Bonafide Research, the South Africa Upcycled Food Products Market is anticipated to grow at more than 7.87% CAGR from 2026 to 2031. South Africa's draft climate plan the second Nationally Determined Contribution was released for public comment on 30 July 2025, setting out the country's climate commitments for 2026‑2030 and 2031‑2035. However, a report published by the Daily Maverick on 19 September 2025 noted that the draft plan largely overlooks food waste as a critical lever for emissions reduction, despite the substantial contribution of organic waste to methane generation in landfills.
• The market landscape is transitioning from a traditional, multi‑pronged model to digital‑first, technology‑driven approaches, characterised by a proliferation of digital surplus redistribution platforms, industrial biorefineries converting biomass into green chemicals and advanced materials, and a strong university led consumer education and innovation pipeline. Sponsors of the UpCycled showcase hosted by the University of Pretoria's Department of Consumer and Food Sciences have increased from 13 to 33 in just three years, reflecting the growing corporate and industry interest in upcycling innovation.

Market Dynamics

Driver: Corporate Consolidation Creating Upcycling Synergies
South Africa's food industry is consolidating in ways that create synergies for upcycling ingredient supply chains and value chain integration. Premier has completed its acquisition of RFG, integrating 53 well‑known brands including Snowflake, Blue Ribbon, Impala, Iwisa, Rhodes Quality, Bull Brand, Pakco, Magpie, and Hinds Spices. RFG has also committed ZAR370 million (R370 million) to upgrade production facilities in South Africa and Eswatini, creating investment opportunities for upcycled food manufacturing and ingredient processing across the region.
Challenge: Food Waste Overlooked in South Africa's Draft Climate Plan
A report published by the Daily Maverick on 19 September 2025 noted that South Africa's draft second NDC released on 30 July 2025 largely overlooks food waste as a critical lever for emissions reduction, despite the substantial contribution of organic waste to methane generation in landfills. Organisations including WRAP (the Waste and Resources Action Programme) have called for explicit integration of food waste reduction into the country's NDC to ensure alignment with the new national strategy.
Trend: Agricultural Residue Valorisation into Biodegradable Products
The CSIR is developing technology packages to convert agricultural waste into biodegradable products including plates, cups, cutlery, and vegan leather from agro residues for replacement of chemicals from synthetic leather. CSIR researchers are also focused on upcycling of bio‑wastes where various market‑based products are produced from these feedstocks using novel microbial‑driven processes, including mycoprotein production from food waste as a sustainable feedstock for single cell protein (SCP) processes.

Policies: Open Trade Structure and Classification Framework

• The National Environmental Management Waste Act NEMWA Act No. 59 of 2008 serves as the foundational waste management legislation in South Africa. Under this Act, the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment published the Strategy for Reducing Food Losses and Waste 2025–2030 in Government Gazette No. 53243 on 29 August 2025 for implementation across the country.
• The CGCSA South African Food Loss and Waste Voluntary Agreement was launched on 29 September 2020 through a partnership between CGCSA, DTIC, and DEFF, with co-funding support from the European Union under the SA-EU Dialogue Facility. The agreement encourages food manufacturers and retailers to implement measures that reduce food waste and support SDG Target 12.3.
• South Africa’s Bio-Economy Strategy formally identified integrated biorefineries as a strategic driver of economic development and circular industrial growth. This policy framework supports CSIR’s biorefinery research and industrial infrastructure initiatives, including the Biorefinery Industry Development Facility BIDF in Durban, which focuses on extracting value from multiple agricultural and organic waste streams.

Industry News

• The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment published the Strategy for Reducing Food Losses and Waste 2025-2030 in Government Gazette No. 53243 on 29 August 2025 for national implementation. The strategy covers the entire food supply chain from farm to consumer and focuses on reducing food waste through the adoption of new technologies, circular economy models, and operational practices suited to the South African market.
• On 30 July 2025, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment released the draft second Nationally Determined Contribution NDC outlining South Africa’s climate commitments for 2026-2030 and 2031-2035. However, the draft received criticism from organisations including WRAP for not sufficiently integrating food waste reduction as a key emissions reduction strategy within the climate framework.
• South African social enterprise Still Good launched in May 2025, connecting consumers with discounted groceries nearing their sell-by dates through “Value Bags” sold at up to 65% below retail prices. Within six months, the platform helped shoppers save nearly ZAR 4 million and expanded operations to more than 80 stores across seven provinces. The company also donates 10% of its earnings to food relief organisations including SA Harvest and partner food banks.

Segment Analysis

South Africa Upcycled Food Products Market By Source Ingredient
• Fruits and vegetables represent the largest source ingredient segment in South Africa’s upcycled food market due to high post-harvest losses, transport inefficiencies, and retail spoilage. Millions of tonnes are lost annually, creating strong raw material availability for dehydration, purees, juices, and natural extracts. Initiatives like Food Masters South Africa are actively recovering surplus produce for value-added processing. Rising demand for healthy, clean-label foods is further driving utilization of this waste stream.
• Cereal and bakery by-products such as unsold bread, flour residues, and milling waste are increasingly redirected into animal feed, reformulated bakery goods, and snack ingredients. South Africa’s large wheat and bakery sector ensures a steady supply of recoverable residues. Retailers and manufacturers are improving redistribution systems to reduce disposal costs and meet sustainability goals. Growing food affordability pressures are also encouraging reuse of bakery waste in secondary food applications.
South Africa Upcycled Food Products Market By Product Type
• Bakery and cereal products are a major upcycling category due to high volumes of unsold bread, grains, and bakery waste from retail and foodservice sectors. These by-products are reused in animal feed, cereals, croutons, and fortified flour products. Industry initiatives under CGCSA are improving waste reduction and redistribution practices across supply chains.
• Beverage upcycling focuses on fruit pulp, coffee grounds, and juice residues that are reused in functional drinks, compost, and extract-based products. Café chains and beverage producers are adopting partnerships to reduce organic waste disposal. Coffee and juice waste are also being explored for antioxidant and fiber extraction applications.

South Africa Upcycled Food Products Market By Process Type

• Drying and dehydration are key methods for extending shelf life of surplus fruits, vegetables, and meat products in South Africa. Food recovery initiatives such as Food Masters South Africa use dehydration to convert fresh surplus produce into stable ingredients like powders and flakes. The process reduces post-harvest losses and improves storage and transport efficiency.
• Milling and powdering processes are used to transform grain residues, fruit peels, coffee waste, and seed by-products into value-added ingredients. These outputs include fiber-rich flours, protein powders, and feed ingredients for food and livestock industries. South Africa’s agricultural processing base ensures steady availability of raw materials.

South Africa Upcycled Food Products Market By Distribution Channel
• Offline retail remains the dominant distribution channel for upcycled food products in South Africa, supported by supermarkets, hypermarkets, convenience stores, and foodservice outlets. Major chains such as Pick n Pay, Spar, and Food Lovers Market are actively participating in surplus food redistribution programs. Consumers still prefer in-store purchases for discounted near-expiry products, packaged goods, and prepared meals.
• Online retail and D2C channels are expanding rapidly in South Africa, driven by digital surplus food platforms such as Still Good, Refreshi, and SA Harvest partnerships. These platforms connect tens of thousands of users with discounted surplus and near-expiry food products, improving redistribution efficiency. Urban consumers are increasingly adopting mobile-first shopping and food delivery services, supporting growth in digital food ecosystems.


Considered in this report
• Historic Year: 2020
• Base year: 2025
• Estimated year: 2026
• Forecast year: 2031

Aspects covered in this report
• Upcycled Food Product Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Source Ingredient
• Fruits & Vegetables
• Cereals, Grains & Bakery By-products
• Brewery & Distillery By-products
• Dairy By-products
• Coffee, Cocoa & Beverage By-products
• Oilseed, Pulse, Nut & Seed By-products
• Meat & Seafood By-products
• Other Food Processing By-products

By Product Type
• Snacks & Ready-to-Eat Products
• Bakery & Cereal Products
• Beverages
• Dairy & Dairy Alternative Products
• Sauces, Condiments & Spreads
• Upcycled Ingredients & Supplements
• Prepared Foods & Meals
• Others

By Process Type
• Reprocessing & Reformulation
• Drying & Dehydration
• Milling, Powdering & Concentration
• Fermentation & Biotransformation
• Extraction, Cold Pressing & Other Processes

By Distribution Channel
• Offline
• Online Retail / E-commerce / D2C