Harvester imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of harvester by South Africa reached $184.8 million in 2024 (11.3 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. That is 51% less than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2023, at $376.9 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 | $184.8M | 11.3K t |
| 2023 | $376.9M | 29.5K t |
| 2022 | $280.2M | 25.0K t |
| 2021 | $224.1M | 19.5K t |
| 2020 | $165.2M | 14.5K t |
| 2019 | $164.7M | 13.4K t |
| 2018 | $183.4M | 14.9K t |
| 2017 | $185.8M | 16.8K t |
Where South Africa imports harvester from
The largest suppliers were Germany (25%), United States (21%), China (10%). Among the main suppliers, New Zealand grew fastest (+63% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | $45.8M | 25% |
| United States | $39.7M | 22% |
| China | $17.6M | 9.5% |
| Brazil | $15.8M | 8.6% |
| Italy | $11.6M | 6.3% |
| Netherlands | $10.2M | 5.5% |
| France | $6.8M | 3.7% |
| Canada | $6.1M | 3.3% |
| Belgium | $4.6M | 2.5% |
| New Zealand | $4.1M | 2.2% |
Product types under HS 8433
| 8433.51 | Combine harvester-threshers | 28% |
| 8433.90 | Harvesting machinery: parts, including parts of threshing machinery, straw or fodder balers and grass or hay mowers | 22% |
| 8433.60 | Machines: for cleaning, sorting or grading eggs, fruit or other agricultural produce | 15% |
| 8433.59 | Harvesting machinery: n.e.c. in heading no. 8433 | 13% |
| 8433.40 | Balers: straw or fodder balers, including pick-up balers | 7.4% |
| 8433.11 | Mowers: lawn, parks or sports-grounds, powered, with the cutting device rotating in a horizontal plane | 4.8% |
| 8433.20 | Mowers: n.e.c. in item no. 8433.1 (including cutter bars for tractor mounting) | 3% |
| 8433.19 | Mowers: for lawns, parks or sports-grounds, other than with the cutting device rotating in a horizontal plane | 2.5% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8433.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $16.34 per kg, 47% above the world average of $11.09. 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.
Harvester exports from South Africa
Exports of harvester by South Africa reached $29.9 million in 2024 (10.1 thousand tonnes). Most of it went to Zimbabwe (25%), Zambia (12%), Botswana (8%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 45%. Among the main buyer markets, United States grew fastest (+271% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zimbabwe | $7.4M | 25% |
| Zambia | $3.5M | 12% |
| Botswana | $2.5M | 8.3% |
| Angola | $2.1M | 7.2% |
| United States | $1.6M | 5.4% |
| Namibia | $1.5M | 5% |
| Eswatini | $1.3M | 4.5% |
| Turkey | $1.0M | 3.4% |
| DR Congo | $825K | 2.8% |
| Netherlands | $807K | 2.7% |
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 8433: Harvesting and threshing machinery, straw and fodder balers, grass or hay mowers; machines for cleaning, sorting or grading eggs, fruit or other agricultural produce, other than machinery of heading no 8437.
Common questions
What is the value of harvester imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported harvester worth $184.8 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 11.3 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 31st of 222 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was down 51% on 2023.
Which countries supply harvester to South Africa?
Germany was the largest supplier with 25% of the value ($45.8 million), followed by the United States (21%) and China (10%). The top three together account for 56%, out of 86 supplier countries in total. New Zealand grew fastest among the top ten, up 63% on the year.
What is the average import price of harvester per kg?
The average declared import value was about $16.34 per kg in 2024, 47% above the world average of $11.09 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 harvester to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $185.8 million in 2017 to $184.8 million in 2024, a fall of 1%. The peak was 2023 at $376.9 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export harvester?
Yes. South Africa exported $29.9 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $154.9 million a year.
What is the HS code for harvester?
The HS code for harvester is heading 8433. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 8433.51 (28% of the value) and 8433.90 (22%). 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 8433 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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