Bread and baked goods imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of bread and baked goods by South Africa reached $107.1 million in 2024 (38.7 thousand tonnes). The value was almost unchanged from 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 | $107.1M | 38.7K t |
| 2023 | $106.6M | 37.4K t |
| 2022 | $106.9M | 47.2K t |
| 2021 | $82.3M | 41.4K t |
| 2020 | $77.4M | 41.2K t |
| 2019 | $87.0M | 45.0K t |
| 2018 | $82.3M | 32.2K t |
| 2017 | $78.6M | 32.7K t |
Where South Africa imports bread and baked goods from
Most of the value came from India (13%), Poland (12%), Bahrain (9%). Trade is spread widely: the top three suppliers together make up only 34%. Among the main suppliers, Ireland grew fastest (+511% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| India | $14.1M | 13% |
| Poland | $12.7M | 12% |
| Bahrain | $9.6M | 8.9% |
| United Kingdom | $7.3M | 6.8% |
| Spain | $6.1M | 5.7% |
| Romania | $5.3M | 5% |
| Turkey | $3.6M | 3.4% |
| Ireland | $3.2M | 3% |
| Italy | $3.1M | 2.9% |
| Indonesia | $2.8M | 2.6% |
Product types under HS 1905
| 1905.90 | Food preparations: bakers' wares n.e.c. in heading no. 1605, whether or not containing cocoa: communion wafers, empty cachets suitable for… | 42% |
| 1905.31 | Food preparations: sweet biscuits, whether or not containing cocoa | 41% |
| 1905.32 | Food preparations: waffles and wafers, whether or not containing cocoa | 11% |
| 1905.10 | Food preparations: crispbread, whether or not containing cocoa | 3.4% |
| 1905.40 | Food preparations: rusks, toasted bread and similar toasted products, whether or not containing cocoa | 3.1% |
| 1905.20 | Food preparations: gingerbread and the like, whether or not containing cocoa | 0.4% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 1905.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $2.77 per kg, 23% below the world average of $3.59, 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.
Bread and baked goods exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported bread and baked goods worth $101.6 million (47.2 thousand tonnes). Most of it went to Namibia (18%), Mozambique (15%), Botswana (13%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 47%. Among the main buyer markets, Zimbabwe grew fastest (+189% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | $18.8M | 19% |
| Mozambique | $15.6M | 15% |
| Botswana | $13.5M | 13% |
| Eswatini | $10.0M | 9.9% |
| Zambia | $7.2M | 7.1% |
| Zimbabwe | $6.5M | 6.4% |
| Lesotho | $5.9M | 5.8% |
| Mauritius | $4.3M | 4.2% |
| Australia | $2.6M | 2.6% |
| United Kingdom | $2.4M | 2.3% |
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
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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 1905: Bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, other bakers' wares, whether or not containing cocoa; communion wafers, empty cachets suitable for pharmaceutical use, sealing wafers, rice paper and similar products.
Common questions
What is the value of bread and baked goods imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported bread and baked goods worth $107.1 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 38.7 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 73rd of 226 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 1% on 2023.
Which countries supply bread and baked goods to South Africa?
India was the largest supplier with 13% of the value ($14.1 million), followed by Poland (12%) and Bahrain (9%). The top three together account for 34%, out of 88 supplier countries in total. Ireland grew fastest among the top ten, up 511% on the year.
What is the average import price of bread and baked goods per kg?
The average declared import value was about $2.77 per kg in 2024, 23% below the world average of $3.59 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 bread and baked goods to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $78.6 million in 2017 to $107.1 million in 2024, an increase of 36%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export bread and baked goods?
Yes. South Africa exported $101.6 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Namibia, Mozambique and Botswana. That compares with imports of $107.1 million in the same year.
What is the HS code for bread and baked goods?
The HS code for bread and baked goods is heading 1905. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 1905.90 (42% of the value) and 1905.31 (41%). It sits in HS chapter 19 (preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk; pastrycooks' products). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 1905 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.
More trade data for South Africa
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