South Africa is now the second largest cannabis supplier to the Australian market as exports Down Under have been on a dizzy trajectory over the past four years. South Africa recorded a 264% increase in cannabis exports in 2024 as the Australian medical cannabis market grows exponentially.
Although South Africa lags far behind Canada, which exported 62 000 kg to Australia in 2024, it has increased its market share relative to the competition. In 2024 South Africa exported 4 992 kg to Australia, significantly up on the previous year’s 1 861 kg. South Africa’s first exports to Australia in 2021 were a mere 60 kg by comparison.
This has put South Africa ahead of the pack of the ‘middle band’ of countries jostling for Australian market share. South Africa’s main competitors are aggressive newcomer,
Czechia (2024: 2 400 kg 2023: 0 kg),
Denmark (2024: 2 100 kg; 2023: 1 743 kg),
Thailand. (2024: 1 093 kg; 2023: 11 kg),
New Zealand (2024: 1 087 kg; 2023:306 kg), and
Portugal. (2024: 1 006 kg; 2023: 1 743 kg).
These figures were released by the Office of Drug Control (ODC) on behalf of the Australian Government on 30 September 2025.
A total of 21 countries have exported cannabis to Australia since 2021 when it imported a total of 7 300 kg. In four years imports have surged 10-fold with last year recording total imports of 77 406 kg. Australia itself produced 41 328 kg in 2024, of which it exported 3132 kg, mainly to New Zealand.
Canada is unshakably Australia’s dominant international cannabis partner with its performance mirroring Australia’s growth trajectory – Canadian exports grew handsomely from 5 792 kg in 2021 to 6 211 kg in 2024.
Besides South Africa, other African exporters to Australia are Lesotho (2024: 419 kg; 2023: 70 kg) and Malawi (2024: 3 kg; 2023: 0 kg`0), which entered the market for the first this year.
With recreational cannabis still prohibited, the key driver for exports to Australia is the rapidly expanding medical cannabis market.
Australia now has over 200 000 registered medical cannabis patients, and even though there has been widespread abuse of the system, the market is growing rapidly.
According to research group, Imarc, the Australian cannabis market is valued at US$740 million in 2024 with a projected growth rate of 7,1% CAGR up to 2033. It says the main factor underlying the growth is that the Australian government has progressively eased restrictions on medical cannabis, making it more accessible to patients.
It says cannabis flower is the most common form of cannabis consumption but in recent years it has ceded market share to cannabis oils, tinctures, edibles, and topicals.
“As more Australians explore natural, plant-based medicines, the demand for prescription cannabis products continues to surge, encouraging growth in the sector. This rising acceptance is prompting companies to scale operations and explore regional expansion to meet growing patient needs” reports Imarc.
“Patients suffering from chronic pain, epilepsy, anxiety, multiple sclerosis, and cancer-related symptoms are increasingly turning to medical cannabis as an alternative or complementary therapy. Traditional pharmaceuticals often come with side effects or limited effectiveness, leading many to seek cannabis-based treatments for pain relief, inflammation, and neurological conditions. Greater awareness of CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) benefits, along with patient advocacy, has driven demand, which is fueling the Australia medical cannabis market share.”
“Australia’s supportive regulatory framework is enabling more global medical cannabis brands to enter the market, reinforcing the trend of increased accessibility and acceptance of cannabis-based treatments” reads the report.
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