Cereal groats exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
Exports of cereal groats by South Africa reached $154.3 million in 2024 (411.2 thousand tonnes). It ranks 2nd of 153 countries for exports of this product. Value fell 8% from 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 10% a year on average.
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 | $154.3M | 411.2K t |
| 2023 | $168.6M | 389.6K t |
| 2022 | $106.2M | 200.8K t |
| 2021 | $125.0M | 277.0K t |
| 2020 | $90.2M | 266.2K t |
| 2019 | $85.3M | 276.5K t |
| 2018 | $57.3M | 134.2K t |
| 2017 | $77.9M | 231.9K t |
Where South Africa exports cereal groats to
One buyer market dominates: DR Congo accounted for 71% of the value. Among the main buyer markets, DR Congo grew fastest (+71% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| DR Congo | $109.2M | 71% |
| Lesotho | $13.2M | 8.6% |
| Zambia | $6.0M | 3.9% |
| Republic of the Congo | $5.7M | 3.7% |
| Malawi | $5.4M | 3.5% |
| United Kingdom | $2.8M | 1.8% |
| Mozambique | $2.6M | 1.7% |
| Gabon | $1.6M | 1% |
| Zimbabwe | $1.1M | 0.7% |
| Cote d'Ivoire | $1.0M | 0.7% |
Product types under HS 1103
| 1103.13 | Cereal groats and meal: of maize (corn) | 96% |
| 1103.19 | Cereal groats and meal: n.e.c. in heading no. 1103 | 1.9% |
| 1103.20 | Cereal pellets | 1.6% |
| 1103.11 | Cereal groats and meal: of wheat | 0.4% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 1103.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.38 per kg, 22% below the world average of $0.49, 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.
Cereal groats imports to South Africa
In 2024, South Africa imported cereal groats worth $6.3 million (23.7 thousand tonnes). The largest suppliers were Italy (23%), Belgium (21%), United Kingdom (19%). Among the main suppliers, Belgium grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Italy | $1.4M | 23% |
| Belgium | $1.3M | 21% |
| United Kingdom | $1.2M | 19% |
| Lesotho | $974K | 16% |
| Botswana | $662K | 11% |
| Spain | $222K | 3.5% |
| China | $177K | 2.8% |
| Denmark | $129K | 2.1% |
| Turkey | $37K | 0.6% |
| India | $26K | 0.4% |
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 1103: Cereal groats; meal and pellets.
Common questions
What is the value of cereal groats exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported cereal groats worth $154.3 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 411.2 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 2nd of 153 countries worldwide, with 10% of world exports. The value was down 8% on 2023.
Which countries buy cereal groats from South Africa?
The DR Congo was the largest buyer with 71% of the value ($109.2 million), followed by Lesotho (9%) and Zambia (4%). The top three together account for 83%, out of 66 buyer countries in total. Malawi grew fastest among the top ten, up 372% on the year.
What is the average export price of cereal groats per kg?
The average declared export value was about $0.38 per kg in 2024, 22% below the world average of $0.49 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 cereal groats from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $77.9 million in 2017 to $154.3 million in 2024, an increase of 98%. The peak was 2023 at $168.6 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import cereal groats?
Yes. South Africa imported $6.3 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Italy, Belgium and the United Kingdom. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $148.1 million a year.
What is the HS code for cereal groats?
The HS code for cereal groats is heading 1103. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 1103.13 (96% of the value) and 1103.19 (2%). It sits in HS chapter 11 (products of the milling industry; malt, starches, inulin, wheat gluten). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 1103 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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