Canned vegetables exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
In 2024, South Africa exported canned vegetables worth $83.8 million (39.2 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. Value rose 22% on 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 | $83.8M | 39.2K t |
| 2023 | $68.9M | 33.2K t |
| 2022 | $61.7M | 27.3K t |
| 2021 | $53.1M | 25.6K t |
| 2020 | $45.5M | 25.3K t |
| 2019 | $55.9M | 29.6K t |
| 2018 | $57.2M | 27.1K t |
| 2017 | $59.8M | 36.0K t |
Where South Africa exports canned vegetables to
The largest buyer markets were Botswana (26%), Namibia (17%), Zimbabwe (13%). Among the main buyer markets, Germany grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Botswana | $21.9M | 26% |
| Namibia | $14.4M | 17% |
| Zimbabwe | $11.1M | 13% |
| Eswatini | $7.2M | 8.6% |
| Mozambique | $6.5M | 7.7% |
| Zambia | $4.7M | 5.6% |
| Lesotho | $4.0M | 4.8% |
| DR Congo | $3.0M | 3.6% |
| Germany | $1.8M | 2.1% |
| Mauritius | $1.4M | 1.7% |
Product types under HS 2005
| 2005.20 | Vegetable preparations: potatoes, prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, not frozen | 55% |
| 2005.99 | Vegetable preparations: vegetables and mixtures of vegetables n.e.c. in heading no. 2005, prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic… | 16% |
| 2005.51 | Vegetable preparations: beans, shelled, prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, not frozen | 13% |
| 2005.59 | Vegetable preparations: beans, (not shelled), prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, not frozen | 8.4% |
| 2005.10 | Vegetable preparations: homogenised vegetables, prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, not frozen | 4.2% |
| 2005.80 | Vegetable preparations: sweetcorn (zea mays var. saccharata), prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, not frozen | 1.8% |
| 2005.40 | Vegetable preparations: peas (pisum sativum), prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, not frozen | 1.1% |
| 2005.70 | Vegetable preparations: olives, prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, not frozen | 0.9% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 2005.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $2.13 per kg, close to the world average of $2.15.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Canned vegetables imports to South Africa
In 2024, South Africa imported canned vegetables worth $21.4 million (12.4 thousand tonnes). Most of the value came from Italy (43%), Spain (15%), Germany (14%). Among the main suppliers, Spain grew fastest (+31% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Italy | $9.1M | 43% |
| Spain | $3.3M | 15% |
| Germany | $3.0M | 14% |
| China | $1.1M | 5.4% |
| Latvia | $1.1M | 4.9% |
| Greece | $971K | 4.5% |
| Netherlands | $350K | 1.6% |
| United Kingdom | $341K | 1.6% |
| Argentina | $209K | 1% |
| Thailand | $208K | 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 2005: Vegetables preparations n.e.c.; prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, not frozen, other than products of heading no. 2006.
Common questions
What is the value of canned vegetables exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported canned vegetables worth $83.8 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 39.2 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 26th of 187 countries worldwide, with 1% of world exports. The value was up 22% on 2023.
Which countries buy canned vegetables from South Africa?
Botswana was the largest buyer with 26% of the value ($21.9 million), followed by Namibia (17%) and Zimbabwe (13%). The top three together account for 57%, out of 78 buyer countries in total. Mauritius grew fastest among the top ten, up 147% on the year.
What is the average export price of canned vegetables per kg?
The average declared export value was about $2.13 per kg in 2024, close to the world average of $2.15 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 canned vegetables from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $59.8 million in 2017 to $83.8 million in 2024, an increase of 40%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import canned vegetables?
Yes. South Africa imported $21.4 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Italy, Spain and Germany. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $62.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for canned vegetables?
The HS code for canned vegetables is heading 2005. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 2005.20 (54% of the value) and 2005.99 (16%). It sits in HS chapter 20 (preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other parts of plants). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 2005 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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