Fresh legumes imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported fresh legumes worth $3.9 million (4.2 thousand tonnes). Value fell 11% from 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 14% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2022, at $10.3 million.
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 | $3.9M | 4.2K t |
| 2023 | $4.4M | 4.6K t |
| 2022 | $10.3M | 10.3K t |
| 2021 | $8.4M | 9.1K t |
| 2020 | $3.2M | 2.8K t |
| 2019 | $3.3M | 2.0K t |
| 2018 | $3.8M | 4.7K t |
| 2017 | $1.5M | 1.0K t |
Where South Africa imports fresh legumes from
Most of the value came from Mozambique (38%), Kenya (25%), Namibia (10%). Among the main suppliers, Mozambique grew fastest (+35% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Mozambique | $1.5M | 39% |
| Kenya | $958K | 25% |
| Namibia | $371K | 9.6% |
| Zambia | $345K | 8.9% |
| Zimbabwe | $332K | 8.5% |
| Botswana | $125K | 3.2% |
| Eswatini | $97K | 2.5% |
| Egypt | $73K | 1.9% |
| Malawi | $47K | 1.2% |
| Canada | $41K | 1.1% |
Product types under HS 0708
| 0708.20 | Vegetables, leguminous: beans (vigna spp., phaseolus spp.), shelled or unshelled, fresh or chilled | 57% |
| 0708.10 | Vegetables, leguminous: peas (pisum sativum), shelled or unshelled, fresh or chilled | 33% |
| 0708.90 | Vegetables, leguminous: (other than peas and beans), shelled or unshelled, fresh or chilled | 10% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 0708.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.92 per kg, 49% below the world average of $1.80, 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.
Fresh legumes exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $1.8 million of fresh legumes in 2024 (2.6 thousand tonnes). Most of it went to United Kingdom (17%), Botswana (16%), Namibia (15%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 48%. Among the main buyer markets, Eswatini grew fastest (+51% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | $310K | 17% |
| Botswana | $296K | 16% |
| Namibia | $267K | 15% |
| Hong Kong | $225K | 12% |
| Mozambique | $220K | 12% |
| Lesotho | $126K | 6.9% |
| Eswatini | $103K | 5.7% |
| Germany | $70K | 3.8% |
| Netherlands | $69K | 3.8% |
| Mauritius | $52K | 2.9% |
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 0708: Leguminous vegetables; shelled or unshelled, fresh or chilled.
Common questions
What is the value of fresh legumes imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported fresh legumes worth $3.9 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 4.2 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 32nd of 202 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 11% on 2023.
Which countries supply fresh legumes to South Africa?
Mozambique was the largest supplier with 38% of the value ($1.5 million), followed by Kenya (25%) and Namibia (10%). The top three together account for 73%, out of 18 supplier countries in total. Egypt grew fastest among the top ten, up 56% on the year.
What is the average import price of fresh legumes per kg?
The average declared import value was about $0.92 per kg in 2024, 49% below the world average of $1.80 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 fresh legumes to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $1.5 million in 2017 to $3.9 million in 2024, an increase of 153%. The peak was 2022 at $10.3 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export fresh legumes?
Yes. South Africa exported $1.8 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to the United Kingdom, Botswana and Namibia. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $2.1 million a year.
What is the HS code for fresh legumes?
The HS code for fresh legumes is heading 0708. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 0708.20 (57% of the value) and 0708.10 (33%). It sits in HS chapter 07 (vegetables and certain roots and tubers; edible). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 0708 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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