Hay and fodder exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
South Africa exported $70.0 million of hay and fodder in 2024 (224.4 thousand tonnes). It ranks 7th of 113 countries for exports of this product. Value rose 8% on 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 17% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2021, at $105.7 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 | $70.0M | 224.4K t |
| 2023 | $64.6M | 161.2K t |
| 2022 | $75.8M | 199.5K t |
| 2021 | $105.7M | 297.3K t |
| 2020 | $60.0M | 198.1K t |
| 2019 | $56.6M | 227.9K t |
| 2018 | $29.0M | 104.1K t |
| 2017 | $23.6M | 88.7K t |
Where South Africa exports hay and fodder to
Most of it went to United Arab Emirates (34%), Saudi Arabia (24%), Lesotho (20%). Among the main buyer markets, Kuwait grew fastest (+782% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United Arab Emirates | $23.5M | 34% |
| Saudi Arabia | $17.0M | 24% |
| Lesotho | $13.9M | 20% |
| Botswana | $5.4M | 7.7% |
| China | $4.8M | 6.8% |
| Kuwait | $3.2M | 4.5% |
| Namibia | $829K | 1.2% |
| Oman | $530K | 0.8% |
| Mauritius | $370K | 0.5% |
| Qatar | $273K | 0.4% |
Product types under HS 1214
| 1214.10 | Lucerne (alfalfa) meal and pellets | 66% |
| 1214.90 | Forage products including swedes, mangolds, fodder roots, hay, sainfoin, clover, forage kale, lupines, vetches etc., pelletised or otherwise | 34% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 1214.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.31 per kg, close to the world average of $0.34.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Hay and fodder imports to South Africa
South Africa imported $544 thousand of hay and fodder in 2024 (2.1 thousand tonnes). Most of the value came from Namibia (39%), Australia (28%), United States (12%).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | $211K | 39% |
| Australia | $153K | 28% |
| United States | $65K | 12% |
| Mozambique | $54K | 9.8% |
| United Kingdom | $29K | 5.4% |
| Albania | $8K | 1.4% |
| Germany | $8K | 1.4% |
| New Zealand | $6K | 1.1% |
| Canada | $4K | 0.7% |
| Belgium | $2K | 0.3% |
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 1214: Swedes, mangolds, fodder roots, hay, lucerne (alfalfa), clover, sainfoin, forage kale, lupines, vetches and similar forage products, whether or not in the form of pellets.
Common questions
What is the value of hay and fodder exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported hay and fodder worth $70.0 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 224.4 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 7th of 113 countries worldwide, with 2% of world exports. The value was up 8% on 2023.
Which countries buy hay and fodder from South Africa?
The United Arab Emirates was the largest buyer with 34% of the value ($23.5 million), followed by Saudi Arabia (24%) and Lesotho (20%). The top three together account for 78%, out of 25 buyer countries in total. Kuwait grew fastest among the top ten, up 782% on the year.
What is the average export price of hay and fodder per kg?
The average declared export value was about $0.31 per kg in 2024, 9% below the world average of $0.34 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 hay and fodder from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $23.6 million in 2017 to $70.0 million in 2024, an increase of 196%. The peak was 2021 at $105.7 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import hay and fodder?
Yes. South Africa imported $544 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Namibia, Australia and the United States. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $69.5 million a year.
What is the HS code for hay and fodder?
The HS code for hay and fodder is heading 1214. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 1214.10 (66% of the value) and 1214.90 (34%). It sits in HS chapter 12 (oil seeds and oleaginous fruits; miscellaneous grains, seeds and fruit, industrial or medicinal plants; straw and fodder). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 1214 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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