Foliage and greenery exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
Exports of foliage and greenery by South Africa reached $13.3 million in 2024 (5.5 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. Value rose 4% 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 | $13.3M | 5.5K t |
| 2023 | $12.8M | 4.8K t |
| 2022 | $14.7M | 5.1K t |
| 2021 | $15.3M | 5.0K t |
| 2020 | $11.2M | 3.8K t |
| 2019 | $12.7M | 10.3K t |
| 2018 | $11.6M | 5.4K t |
| 2017 | $13.2M | 9.1K t |
Where South Africa exports foliage and greenery to
Most of it went to Netherlands (35%), Germany (20%), United Kingdom (11%). Among the main buyer markets, Italy grew fastest (+118% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | $4.6M | 35% |
| Germany | $2.6M | 20% |
| United Kingdom | $1.5M | 12% |
| United States | $595K | 4.5% |
| South Korea | $511K | 3.9% |
| Botswana | $327K | 2.5% |
| Italy | $261K | 2% |
| Norway | $253K | 1.9% |
| Japan | $234K | 1.8% |
| Belgium | $223K | 1.7% |
Product types under HS 0604
| 0604.90 | Foliage, branches and other parts of plants, without flowers or flower buds, and grasses, mosses and lichens: suitable for bouquets or for ornamental… | 59% |
| 0604.20 | Foliage, branches and other parts of plants, without flowers or flower buds, and grasses, mosses and lichens: suitable for bouquets or for ornamental… | 41% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 0604.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $2.42 per kg, 35% below the world average of $3.74, 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.
Foliage and greenery imports to South Africa
South Africa imported $229 thousand of foliage and greenery in 2024 (38 tonnes). Most of the value came from Italy (15%), Morocco (12%), Netherlands (12%). Trade is spread widely: the top three suppliers together make up only 39%. Among the main suppliers, Turkey grew fastest (+655% on the year before).
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 0604: Foliage, branches and other parts of plants, without flowers or flower buds, and grasses, mosses and lichens; suitable for bouquets or for ornamental purposes, fresh, dried, dyed, bleached, impregnated etc..
Common questions
What is the value of foliage and greenery exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported foliage and greenery worth $13.3 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 5.5 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 21st of 164 countries worldwide, with 1% of world exports. The value was up 4% on 2023.
Which countries buy foliage and greenery from South Africa?
The Netherlands was the largest buyer with 35% of the value ($4.6 million), followed by Germany (20%) and the United Kingdom (11%). The top three together account for 66%, out of 67 buyer countries in total. Belgium grew fastest among the top ten, up 945% on the year.
What is the average export price of foliage and greenery per kg?
The average declared export value was about $2.42 per kg in 2024, 35% below the world average of $3.74 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 foliage and greenery from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $13.2 million in 2017 to $13.3 million in 2024, an increase of 1%. The peak was 2021 at $15.3 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import foliage and greenery?
Yes. South Africa imported $229 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Italy, Morocco and the Netherlands. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $13.0 million a year.
What is the HS code for foliage and greenery?
The HS code for foliage and greenery is heading 0604. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 0604.90 (59% of the value) and 0604.20 (41%). It sits in HS chapter 06 (trees and other plants, live; bulbs, roots and the like; cut flowers and ornamental foliage). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 0604 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.
Same product, other countries
More trade data for South Africa
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