Crustaceans exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
In 2024, South Africa exported crustaceans worth $55.3 million (2.2 thousand tonnes). That is 18% more than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2017, at $75.9 million.
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 | $55.3M | 2.2K t |
| 2023 | $47.0M | 2.0K t |
| 2022 | $54.7M | 2.1K t |
| 2021 | $67.0M | 3.6K t |
| 2020 | $53.3M | 1.9K t |
| 2019 | $62.3M | 2.0K t |
| 2018 | $73.5M | 3.6K t |
| 2017 | $75.9M | 3.3K t |
Where South Africa exports crustaceans to
Most of it went to United States (40%), China (29%), Germany (6%). Among the main buyer markets, Switzerland grew fastest (+304% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $21.9M | 40% |
| China | $16.2M | 29% |
| Germany | $3.6M | 6.5% |
| Switzerland | $2.9M | 5.3% |
| Namibia | $1.4M | 2.5% |
| Italy | $1.2M | 2.1% |
| Hong Kong | $1.1M | 2.1% |
| Singapore | $1.0M | 1.9% |
| Zimbabwe | $730K | 1.3% |
| Taiwan | $609K | 1.1% |
Product types under HS 0306
| 0306.11 | Crustaceans: frozen, rock lobsters and other sea crawfish (Palinurus spp., Panulirus spp., Jasus spp.), in shell or not, smoked, cooked or not before… | 42% |
| 0306.31 | Crustaceans: live, fresh or chilled, rock lobsters and other sea crawfish (Palinurus spp., Panulirus spp., Jasus spp.), in shell or not | 35% |
| 0306.19 | Crustaceans: frozen, n.e.c. in item no. 0306.1, in shell or not, smoked, cooked or not before or during smoking: in shell, cooked by steaming or by… | 6.8% |
| 0306.15 | Crustaceans: frozen, Norway lobsters (Nephrops norvegicus), in shell or not, smoked, cooked or not before or during smoking: in shell, cooked by… | 5.7% |
| 0306.17 | Crustaceans: frozen, shrimps and prawns, excluding cold-water varieties, in shell or not, smoked, cooked or not before or during smoking: in shell… | 4.3% |
| 0306.39 | Crustaceans: live, fresh or chilled, n.e.c. in item no. 0306.3, in shell or not, including edible flours, meals, and pellets of crustaceans | 3.4% |
| 0306.36 | Crustaceans: live, fresh or chilled, shrimps and prawns excluding cold-water varieties, in shell or not | 0.8% |
| 0306.95 | Crustaceans: shrimps and prawns, smoked, cooked or not, whether in shell or not, whether or not cooked before or during smoking | 0.8% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 0306.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $25.64 per kg, 216% above the world average of $8.11. This usually points to higher-grade or processed goods.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Crustaceans imports to South Africa
Imports of crustaceans by South Africa reached $46.8 million in 2024 (8.3 thousand tonnes). Most of the value came from Ecuador (34%), India (27%), Argentina (18%). Among the main suppliers, Ecuador grew fastest (+32% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Ecuador | $16.1M | 34% |
| India | $12.7M | 27% |
| Argentina | $8.6M | 18% |
| Saudi Arabia | $2.2M | 4.7% |
| Nicaragua | $1.8M | 3.8% |
| Namibia | $1.1M | 2.4% |
| Thailand | $970K | 2.1% |
| Guatemala | $919K | 2% |
| Mozambique | $860K | 1.8% |
| Spain | $506K | 1.1% |
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 0306: Crustaceans; in shell or not, live, fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, salted or in brine; smoked, cooked or not before or during smoking; in shell, steamed or boiled, whether or not chilled, frozen, dried, salted or in brine.
Common questions
What is the value of crustaceans exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported crustaceans worth $55.3 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 2.2 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 46th of 173 countries worldwide, with 0% of world exports. The value was up 18% on 2023.
Which countries buy crustaceans from South Africa?
The United States was the largest buyer with 40% of the value ($21.9 million), followed by China (29%) and Germany (6%). The top three together account for 75%, out of 43 buyer countries in total. Singapore grew fastest among the top ten, up 852% on the year.
What is the average export price of crustaceans per kg?
The average declared export value was about $25.64 per kg in 2024, 216% above the world average of $8.11 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 crustaceans from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $75.9 million in 2017 to $55.3 million in 2024, a fall of 27%. The peak was 2017 at $75.9 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import crustaceans?
Yes. South Africa imported $46.8 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Ecuador, India and Argentina. That compares with exports of $55.3 million in the same year.
What is the HS code for crustaceans?
The HS code for crustaceans is heading 0306. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 0306.11 (41% of the value) and 0306.31 (35%). It sits in HS chapter 03 (fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 0306 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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