Breakfast cereals exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
In 2024, South Africa exported breakfast cereals worth $101.5 million (53.3 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. That is 13% more than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Exports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $101.5M | 53.3K t |
| 2023 | $89.7M | 54.1K t |
| 2022 | $94.8M | 55.6K t |
| 2021 | $87.7M | 57.3K t |
| 2020 | $70.7M | 48.5K t |
| 2019 | $79.3M | 52.7K t |
| 2018 | $81.4M | 42.1K t |
| 2017 | $75.5M | 51.4K t |
Where South Africa exports breakfast cereals to
The largest buyer markets were Botswana (24%), Namibia (19%), Eswatini (13%). Among the main buyer markets, United Arab Emirates grew fastest (+196% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Botswana | $24.3M | 24% |
| Namibia | $18.9M | 19% |
| Eswatini | $13.1M | 13% |
| Lesotho | $12.4M | 12% |
| Mozambique | $11.5M | 11% |
| Zimbabwe | $3.5M | 3.4% |
| Zambia | $3.3M | 3.3% |
| United Arab Emirates | $2.5M | 2.5% |
| DR Congo | $1.9M | 1.8% |
| Malawi | $1.6M | 1.6% |
Product types under HS 1904
| 1904.90 | Food preparations: cereal or cereal products (excluding maize), in grain form, pre-cooked or otherwise prepared | 43% |
| 1904.10 | Food preparations: obtained by the swelling or roasting of cereals or cereal products | 37% |
| 1904.20 | Food preparations: obtained from unroasted cereal flakes or from mixtures of unroasted cereal flakes and roasted cereal flakes or swelled cereals | 20% |
| 1904.30 | Prepared foods obtained by the swelling or roasting of cereals or cereal products (e.g. corn flakes): cereals, not maize (corn), in grain form or in… | 0.1% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 1904.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.90 per kg, 38% below the world average of $3.04, 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.
Breakfast cereals imports to South Africa
In 2024, South Africa imported breakfast cereals worth $11.3 million (5.3 thousand tonnes). The largest suppliers were Zimbabwe (31%), United Kingdom (13%), Poland (11%). Among the main suppliers, Zimbabwe grew fastest (+105% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zimbabwe | $3.5M | 31% |
| United Kingdom | $1.5M | 13% |
| Poland | $1.2M | 11% |
| Belgium | $741K | 6.5% |
| Spain | $637K | 5.6% |
| Lithuania | $630K | 5.6% |
| Portugal | $621K | 5.5% |
| Namibia | $586K | 5.2% |
| Turkey | $339K | 3% |
| India | $288K | 2.5% |
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 1904: Prepared foods obtained by swelling or roasting cereals or cereal products (e.g. corn flakes); cereals (other than maize (corn)) in grain form or in the form of flakes or other worked grains (not flour and meal), pre-cooked or otherwise prepared, n.e.c..
Common questions
What is the value of breakfast cereals exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported breakfast cereals worth $101.5 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 53.3 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 17th of 181 countries worldwide, with 1% of world exports. The value was up 13% on 2023.
Which countries buy breakfast cereals from South Africa?
Botswana was the largest buyer with 24% of the value ($24.3 million), followed by Namibia (19%) and Eswatini (13%). The top three together account for 55%, out of 87 buyer countries in total. The United Arab Emirates grew fastest among the top ten, up 196% on the year.
What is the average export price of breakfast cereals per kg?
The average declared export value was about $1.90 per kg in 2024, 38% below the world average of $3.04 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 exports of breakfast cereals from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $75.5 million in 2017 to $101.5 million in 2024, an increase of 34%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import breakfast cereals?
Yes. South Africa imported $11.3 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Zimbabwe, the United Kingdom and Poland. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $90.1 million a year.
What is the HS code for breakfast cereals?
The HS code for breakfast cereals is heading 1904. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 1904.90 (43% of the value) and 1904.10 (37%). 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 1904 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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