Chocolate imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported chocolate worth $124.5 million (25.2 thousand tonnes). That is 4% less 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 .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $124.5M | 25.2K t |
| 2023 | $129.8M | 32.6K t |
| 2022 | $122.7M | 33.7K t |
| 2021 | $120.8M | 32.6K t |
| 2020 | $108.1M | 27.5K t |
| 2019 | $113.5M | 30.0K t |
| 2018 | $123.6M | 27.7K t |
| 2017 | $104.4M | 26.0K t |
Where South Africa imports chocolate from
The largest suppliers were Belgium (24%), Italy (15%), Germany (10%). Trade is spread widely: the top three suppliers together make up only 49%.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Belgium | $30.0M | 24% |
| Italy | $18.2M | 15% |
| Germany | $12.7M | 10% |
| United Kingdom | $10.0M | 8% |
| Poland | $7.9M | 6.4% |
| Netherlands | $5.1M | 4.1% |
| Ireland | $4.6M | 3.7% |
| France | $4.5M | 3.6% |
| Turkey | $3.9M | 3.1% |
| Eswatini | $3.5M | 2.8% |
Product types under HS 1806
| 1806.90 | Chocolate and other food preparations containing cocoa: n.e.c. in chapter 18 | 42% |
| 1806.20 | Chocolate & other food preparations containing cocoa: in blocks, slabs or bars weighing more than 2kg or in liquid, paste, powder, granular or other… | 22% |
| 1806.31 | Chocolate and other food preparations containing cocoa: in blocks, slabs or bars, filled, weighing 2kg or less | 20% |
| 1806.32 | Chocolate and other food preparations containing cocoa: in blocks, slabs or bars, (not filled), weighing 2kg or less | 12% |
| 1806.10 | Cocoa: powder, containing added sugar or other sweetening matter | 4.7% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 1806.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $4.94 per kg, 21% below the world average of $6.27, 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.
Chocolate exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported chocolate worth $87.1 million (14.8 thousand tonnes). Most of it went to Namibia (16%), Botswana (12%), Zambia (8%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 37%. Among the main buyer markets, Tanzania grew fastest (+43% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | $14.3M | 16% |
| Botswana | $10.7M | 12% |
| Zambia | $7.4M | 8.5% |
| Mozambique | $7.3M | 8.4% |
| Zimbabwe | $5.8M | 6.7% |
| Mauritius | $4.5M | 5.1% |
| Eswatini | $3.5M | 4.1% |
| Tanzania | $3.4M | 3.9% |
| Kenya | $3.3M | 3.8% |
| Malaysia | $3.0M | 3.5% |
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 1806: Chocolate and other food preparations containing cocoa.
Common questions
What is the value of chocolate imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported chocolate worth $124.5 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 25.2 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 58th of 226 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 4% on 2023.
Which countries supply chocolate to South Africa?
Belgium was the largest supplier with 24% of the value ($30.0 million), followed by Italy (15%) and Germany (10%). The top three together account for 49%, out of 85 supplier countries in total. The Netherlands grew fastest among the top ten, up 24% on the year.
What is the average import price of chocolate per kg?
The average declared import value was about $4.94 per kg in 2024, 21% below the world average of $6.27 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 chocolate to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $104.4 million in 2017 to $124.5 million in 2024, an increase of 19%. The peak was 2023 at $129.8 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export chocolate?
Yes. South Africa exported $87.1 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Namibia, Botswana and Zambia. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $37.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for chocolate?
The HS code for chocolate is heading 1806. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 1806.90 (41% of the value) and 1806.20 (22%). It sits in HS chapter 18 (cocoa and cocoa preparations). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 1806 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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