Food processing machinery imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported food processing machinery worth $145.6 million (7.3 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. That is 5% more 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 | $145.6M | 7.3K t |
| 2023 | $138.2M | 5.3K t |
| 2022 | $119.1M | 5.5K t |
| 2021 | $95.1M | 3.9K t |
| 2020 | $90.5M | 3.5K t |
| 2019 | $155.0M | 7.1K t |
| 2018 | $136.6M | 4.8K t |
| 2017 | $141.6M | 5.1K t |
Where South Africa imports food processing machinery from
The largest suppliers were Germany (20%), China (13%), United Kingdom (11%). Trade is spread widely: the top three suppliers together make up only 44%. Among the main suppliers, Spain grew fastest (+239% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | $29.6M | 20% |
| China | $18.6M | 13% |
| United Kingdom | $16.2M | 11% |
| Netherlands | $14.1M | 9.7% |
| United States | $12.8M | 8.8% |
| Italy | $11.0M | 7.5% |
| Spain | $5.8M | 4% |
| France | $5.1M | 3.5% |
| Pakistan | $4.5M | 3.1% |
| India | $4.4M | 3% |
Product types under HS 8438
| 8438.90 | Machinery: parts of those machines used in the industrial preparation or manufacture of food or drink | 25% |
| 8438.10 | Machinery: industrial, for bakery and for the manufacture of macaroni, spaghetti or similar products | 20% |
| 8438.80 | Machinery: used in the industrial preparation or manufacture of food or drink, n.e.c. in heading no. 8438 | 17% |
| 8438.50 | Machinery: industrial, for the preparation of meat or poultry | 16% |
| 8438.20 | Machinery: industrial, for the manufacture of confectionery, cocoa or chocolate | 11% |
| 8438.40 | Machinery: industrial, brewery machinery | 5.9% |
| 8438.60 | Machinery: industrial, for the preparation of fruits, nuts or vegetables | 4.7% |
| 8438.30 | Machinery: industrial, for sugar manufacture | 1.4% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8438.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $20.07 per kg, 25% below the world average of $26.89, 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.
Food processing machinery exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported food processing machinery worth $58.7 million (4.3 thousand tonnes). Most of it went to Zimbabwe (24%), Zambia (14%), Namibia (6%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 43%. Among the main buyer markets, Australia grew fastest (+191% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zimbabwe | $14.0M | 24% |
| Zambia | $8.0M | 14% |
| Namibia | $3.5M | 5.9% |
| Australia | $3.3M | 5.6% |
| Botswana | $2.9M | 5% |
| Nigeria | $2.5M | 4.3% |
| Eswatini | $2.4M | 4.1% |
| Malawi | $2.3M | 3.9% |
| United States | $1.9M | 3.3% |
| Kenya | $1.9M | 3.2% |
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 8438: Machinery n.e.c. in this chapter, for the industrial preparation or manufacture of food or drink; other than machinery for extraction or preparation of animal or fixed vegetable or microbial fats or oils.
Common questions
What is the value of food processing machinery imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported food processing machinery worth $145.6 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 7.3 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 33rd of 220 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 5% on 2023.
Which countries supply food processing machinery to South Africa?
Germany was the largest supplier with 20% of the value ($29.6 million), followed by China (13%) and the United Kingdom (11%). The top three together account for 44%, out of 82 supplier countries in total. Spain grew fastest among the top ten, up 239% on the year.
What is the average import price of food processing machinery per kg?
The average declared import value was about $20.07 per kg in 2024, 25% below the world average of $26.89 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 food processing machinery to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $141.6 million in 2017 to $145.6 million in 2024, an increase of 3%. The peak was 2019 at $155.0 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export food processing machinery?
Yes. South Africa exported $58.7 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Zimbabwe, Zambia and Namibia. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $86.9 million a year.
What is the HS code for food processing machinery?
The HS code for food processing machinery is heading 8438. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 8438.90 (24% of the value) and 8438.10 (20%). It sits in HS chapter 84 (machinery and mechanical appliances, boilers, nuclear reactors; parts thereof). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 8438 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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