Frozen vegetables exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
Exports of frozen vegetables by South Africa reached $15.8 million in 2024 (8.8 thousand tonnes). Value rose 38% on 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 5% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2017, at $22.9 million.
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 | $15.8M | 8.8K t |
| 2023 | $11.4M | 7.3K t |
| 2022 | $12.7M | 8.2K t |
| 2021 | $14.2M | 10.3K t |
| 2020 | $17.1M | 12.3K t |
| 2019 | $22.3M | 16.8K t |
| 2018 | $22.6M | 19.4K t |
| 2017 | $22.9M | 15.8K t |
Where South Africa exports frozen vegetables to
One buyer market dominates: Botswana accounted for 58% of the value. Among the main buyer markets, Botswana grew fastest (+125% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Botswana | $9.2M | 58% |
| Namibia | $1.5M | 9.3% |
| Lesotho | $1.3M | 8.2% |
| Mozambique | $703K | 4.5% |
| Eswatini | $703K | 4.5% |
| Italy | $373K | 2.4% |
| Germany | $368K | 2.3% |
| Romania | $277K | 1.8% |
| Nigeria | $261K | 1.7% |
| Zambia | $248K | 1.6% |
Product types under HS 0710
| 0710.10 | Vegetables: potatoes, uncooked or cooked by steaming or boiling in water, frozen | 50% |
| 0710.90 | Vegetable mixtures: uncooked or cooked by steaming or boiling in water, frozen | 20% |
| 0710.80 | Vegetables: uncooked or cooked by steaming or boiling in water, n.e.c. in heading no. 0710, frozen | 12% |
| 0710.29 | Vegetables, leguminous: (other than peas or beans), shelled or unshelled, uncooked or cooked by steaming or boiling in water, frozen | 7.6% |
| 0710.40 | Vegetables: sweetcorn, uncooked or cooked by steaming or boiling in water, frozen | 4.8% |
| 0710.22 | Vegetables, leguminous: beans (vigna spp., phaseolus spp.), shelled or unshelled, uncooked or cooked by steaming or boiling in water, frozen | 3.2% |
| 0710.21 | Vegetables, leguminous: peas (pisum sativum), shelled or unshelled, uncooked or cooked by steaming or boiling in water, frozen | 2.3% |
| 0710.30 | Vegetables: spinach, New Zealand spinach and orache spinach (garden spinach), uncooked or cooked by steaming or boiling in water, frozen | 0.6% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 0710.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.79 per kg, 32% above the world average of $1.36. 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.
Frozen vegetables imports to South Africa
Imports of frozen vegetables by South Africa reached $15.4 million in 2024 (14.6 thousand tonnes). The largest suppliers were Belgium (34%), China (26%), New Zealand (18%). Among the main suppliers, New Zealand grew fastest (+133% 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 0710: Vegetables (uncooked or cooked by steaming or boiling in water); frozen.
Common questions
What is the value of frozen vegetables exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported frozen vegetables worth $15.8 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 8.8 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 39th of 168 countries worldwide, with 0% of world exports. The value was up 38% on 2023.
Which countries buy frozen vegetables from South Africa?
Botswana was the largest buyer with 58% of the value ($9.2 million), followed by Namibia (9%) and Lesotho (8%). The top three together account for 76%, out of 45 buyer countries in total. Romania grew fastest among the top ten, up 204% on the year.
What is the average export price of frozen vegetables per kg?
The average declared export value was about $1.79 per kg in 2024, 32% above the world average of $1.36 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 frozen vegetables from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $22.9 million in 2017 to $15.8 million in 2024, a fall of 31%. The peak was 2017 at $22.9 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import frozen vegetables?
Yes. South Africa imported $15.4 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Belgium, China and New Zealand. That compares with exports of $15.8 million in the same year.
What is the HS code for frozen vegetables?
The HS code for frozen vegetables is heading 0710. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 0710.10 (50% of the value) and 0710.90 (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 0710 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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