Food processing machinery parts imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of food processing machinery parts by South Africa reached $35.7 million in 2024 (2.2 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. That is 5% 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 | $35.7M | 2.2K t |
| 2023 | $37.7M | 2.7K t |
| 2022 | $36.3M | 3.1K t |
| 2021 | $28.9M | 1.9K t |
| 2020 | $25.0M | 1.3K t |
| 2019 | $29.4M | 2.6K t |
| 2018 | $28.4M | 1.4K t |
| 2017 | $27.9M | 1.2K t |
Where South Africa imports food processing machinery parts from
Most of the value came from Netherlands (21%), United States (15%), Germany (14%). Among the main suppliers, Netherlands grew fastest (+31% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | $7.3M | 21% |
| United States | $5.5M | 16% |
| Germany | $5.1M | 14% |
| United Kingdom | $3.4M | 9.6% |
| Pakistan | $2.2M | 6.1% |
| Italy | $2.0M | 5.6% |
| China | $2.0M | 5.6% |
| Denmark | $1.9M | 5.4% |
| India | $1.6M | 4.5% |
| Switzerland | $540K | 1.5% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $16.08 per kg, 39% below the world average of $26.28, 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 parts exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $19.4 million of food processing machinery parts in 2024 (2.5 thousand tonnes). Most of it went to Zambia (18%), Zimbabwe (13%), France (8%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 39%. Among the main buyer markets, France grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zambia | $3.5M | 18% |
| Zimbabwe | $2.5M | 13% |
| France | $1.6M | 8.4% |
| Tanzania | $1.4M | 7.4% |
| Eswatini | $1.4M | 7.3% |
| Namibia | $1.4M | 7% |
| Australia | $1.1M | 5.8% |
| Mozambique | $855K | 4.4% |
| Malawi | $710K | 3.7% |
| Pakistan | $576K | 3% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa food processing machinery parts imports (HS 8438.90): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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Mirror data: built from the shipment records of the countries that trade with it.
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 8438.90: Machinery: parts of those machines used in the industrial preparation or manufacture of food or drink.
Common questions
What is the value of food processing machinery parts imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported food processing machinery parts worth $35.7 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 2.2 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 31st of 212 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was down 5% on 2023.
Which countries supply food processing machinery parts to South Africa?
The Netherlands was the largest supplier with 21% of the value ($7.3 million), followed by the United States (15%) and Germany (14%). The top three together account for 50%, out of 72 supplier countries in total. The Netherlands grew fastest among the top ten, up 31% on the year.
What is the average import price of food processing machinery parts per kg?
The average declared import value was about $16.08 per kg in 2024, 39% below the world average of $26.28 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of food processing machinery parts to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $27.9 million in 2017 to $35.7 million in 2024, an increase of 28%. The peak was 2023 at $37.7 million. Over 8 years the average was $31.2 million a year.
Does South Africa also export food processing machinery parts?
Yes. South Africa exported $19.4 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Zambia, Zimbabwe and France. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $16.2 million a year.
What is the HS code for food processing machinery parts?
The HS code for food processing machinery parts is subheading 8438.90. 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?
For South Africa, EximDataX reads the shipment records of the countries that trade with it and shows the companies on both sides. We can walk you through your product on a short call.
Same product, other countries
World food processing machinery parts trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for South Africa
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