Fresh garlic imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $8.5 million of fresh garlic in 2024 (3.3 thousand tonnes). Value rose 28% on 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 | $8.5M | 3.3K t |
| 2023 | $6.6M | 3.1K t |
| 2022 | $6.3M | 3.0K t |
| 2021 | $8.4M | 3.4K t |
| 2020 | $9.4M | 4.7K t |
| 2019 | $6.1M | 3.0K t |
| 2018 | $4.9M | 2.5K t |
| 2017 | $6.9M | 2.6K t |
Where South Africa imports fresh garlic from
Most of the value came from China (36%), India (20%), Malaysia (20%). Among the main suppliers, Malaysia grew fastest (+129% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $3.1M | 36% |
| India | $1.7M | 20% |
| Malaysia | $1.7M | 20% |
| Spain | $1.0M | 12% |
| Vietnam | $450K | 5.3% |
| Argentina | $445K | 5.2% |
| Mozambique | $42K | 0.5% |
| Madagascar | $26K | 0.3% |
| Thailand | $13K | 0.2% |
| Namibia | $13K | 0.2% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $2.57 per kg, 72% above the world average of $1.49. 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.
Fresh garlic exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $2.2 million of fresh garlic in 2024 (805 tonnes). Most of it went to Namibia (36%), Botswana (19%), Eswatini (10%). Among the main buyer markets, DR Congo grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | $772K | 36% |
| Botswana | $415K | 19% |
| Eswatini | $212K | 9.8% |
| Netherlands | $190K | 8.8% |
| Germany | $148K | 6.8% |
| Mozambique | $130K | 6% |
| Lesotho | $87K | 4% |
| DR Congo | $76K | 3.5% |
| Malawi | $43K | 2% |
| Zambia | $39K | 1.8% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa fresh garlic imports (HS 0703.20): 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 0703.20: Vegetables, alliaceous: garlic, fresh or chilled.
Common questions
What is the value of fresh garlic imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported fresh garlic worth $8.5 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 3.3 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 59th of 214 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 28% on 2023.
Which countries supply fresh garlic to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 36% of the value ($3.1 million), followed by India (20%) and Malaysia (20%). The top three together account for 76%, out of 13 supplier countries in total. Mozambique grew fastest among the top ten, up 256% on the year.
What is the average import price of fresh garlic per kg?
The average declared import value was about $2.57 per kg in 2024, 72% above the world average of $1.49 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of fresh garlic to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $6.9 million in 2017 to $8.5 million in 2024, an increase of 24%. The peak was 2020 at $9.4 million. Over 8 years the average was $7.1 million a year.
Does South Africa also export fresh garlic?
Yes. South Africa exported $2.2 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Namibia, Botswana and Eswatini. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $6.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for fresh garlic?
The HS code for fresh garlic is subheading 0703.20. It sits in HS chapter 07 (vegetables and certain roots and tubers; edible). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 0703 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
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