Bananas imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported bananas worth $51.5 million (196.9 thousand tonnes). Value rose 24% on 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $51.5M | 196.9K t |
| 2023 | $41.6M | 178.6K t |
| 2022 | $52.8M | 213.0K t |
| 2021 | $51.5M | 167.6K t |
| 2020 | $41.9M | 149.2K t |
| 2019 | $43.8M | 156.3K t |
| 2018 | $40.3M | 149.2K t |
| 2017 | $36.3M | 115.8K t |
Where South Africa imports bananas from
Mozambique alone supplied 69% of it. Among the main suppliers, Eswatini grew fastest (+33% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Mozambique | $35.7M | 69% |
| Eswatini | $12.0M | 23% |
| Seychelles | $1.7M | 3.4% |
| Zimbabwe | $949K | 1.8% |
| Netherlands | $387K | 0.8% |
| Ecuador | $316K | 0.6% |
| France | $156K | 0.3% |
| Angola | $97K | 0.2% |
| Philippines | $78K | 0.2% |
| Zambia | $36K | 0.1% |
Product types under HS 0803
| 0803.90 | Fruit, edible: bananas, other than plantains, fresh or dried | 93% |
| 0803.10 | Fruit, edible: plantains, fresh or dried | 7% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 0803.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.26 per kg, 60% below the world average of $0.65, which often means bulk or lower-grade product.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Bananas exports from South Africa
Exports of bananas by South Africa reached $14.7 million in 2024 (21.9 thousand tonnes). One buyer market dominates: Botswana accounted for 60% of the value.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Botswana | $8.8M | 60% |
| Namibia | $4.3M | 29% |
| Lesotho | $1.3M | 8.6% |
| Japan | $113K | 0.8% |
| Mozambique | $76K | 0.5% |
| Netherlands | $58K | 0.4% |
| Eswatini | $42K | 0.3% |
| Lithuania | $34K | 0.2% |
| Russia | $23K | 0.2% |
| Germany | $21K | 0.1% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
Public statistics stop at country totals and the last published year. EximDataX shows the shipment records underneath: the companies, dates, quantities and declared values, updated weekly.
Shipment records are in the platform
Tell us what you trade and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
Mirror data: built from the shipment records of the countries that trade with it.
Updated weekly on EximDataX (some markets daily), while public statistics stop at 2024.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 0803: Bananas, including plantains; fresh or dried.
Common questions
What is the value of bananas imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported bananas worth $51.5 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 196.9 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 43rd of 205 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 24% on 2023.
Which countries supply bananas to South Africa?
Mozambique was the largest supplier with 69% of the value ($35.7 million), followed by Eswatini (23%) and the Seychelles (3%). The top three together account for 96%, out of 22 supplier countries in total. Zambia grew fastest among the top ten, up 308% on the year.
What is the average import price of bananas per kg?
The average declared import value was about $0.26 per kg in 2024, 60% below the world average of $0.65 per kg. It is total declared value divided by total weight, so it blends every grade and size; use it as a benchmark, not a quote. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
How have imports of bananas to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $36.3 million in 2017 to $51.5 million in 2024, an increase of 42%. The peak was 2022 at $52.8 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export bananas?
Yes. South Africa exported $14.7 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Botswana, Namibia and Lesotho. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $36.7 million a year.
What is the HS code for bananas?
The HS code for bananas is heading 0803. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 0803.90 (93% of the value) and 0803.10 (7%). It sits in HS chapter 08 (fruit and nuts, edible; peel of citrus fruit or melons). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 0803 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
Public statistics stop at country totals. EximDataX rebuilds South Africa trade from the customs records of its trading partners, updated weekly, so you can see the companies that ship to and from it. Tell us your product and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
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