Live horses imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of live horses by South Africa reached $5.5 million in 2024 (200 tonnes). Value rose 27% on 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 17% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2017, at $20.0 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 | $5.5M | 200 t |
| 2023 | $4.3M | 164 t |
| 2022 | $3.4M | 748 t |
| 2021 | $4.4M | 388 t |
| 2020 | $4.5M | 836 t |
| 2019 | $10.9M | 135 t |
| 2018 | $10.9M | 126 t |
| 2017 | $20.0M | 557 t |
Where South Africa imports live horses from
Most of the value came from Australia (28%), Netherlands (22%), Zimbabwe (14%). Among the main suppliers, Niger grew fastest (+477% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | $1.5M | 28% |
| Netherlands | $1.2M | 22% |
| Zimbabwe | $749K | 14% |
| Germany | $632K | 12% |
| United Kingdom | $486K | 8.9% |
| Belgium | $388K | 7.1% |
| Argentina | $122K | 2.2% |
| Niger | $117K | 2.1% |
| Ireland | $86K | 1.6% |
| Namibia | $70K | 1.3% |
Product types under HS 0101
| 0101.29 | Horses: live, other than pure-bred breeding animals | 67% |
| 0101.21 | Horses: live, pure-bred breeding animals | 31% |
| 0101.90 | Mules and hinnies: live | 1.6% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 0101.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $27.33 per kg, 41% below the world average of $46.58, 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.
Live horses exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported live horses worth $4.2 million (406 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were United States (41%), France (11%), Australia (8%). Among the main buyer markets, Nigeria grew fastest (+605% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $1.7M | 41% |
| France | $478K | 11% |
| Australia | $354K | 8.3% |
| Mauritius | $290K | 6.8% |
| Madagascar | $267K | 6.3% |
| Kenya | $262K | 6.2% |
| Nigeria | $196K | 4.6% |
| United Kingdom | $105K | 2.5% |
| Botswana | $75K | 1.8% |
| Namibia | $64K | 1.5% |
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
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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 0101: Horses, asses, mules and hinnies; live.
Common questions
What is the value of live horses imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported live horses worth $5.5 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 200 tonnes. That ranks it 33rd of 155 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 27% on 2023.
Which countries supply live horses to South Africa?
Australia was the largest supplier with 28% of the value ($1.5 million), followed by the Netherlands (22%) and Zimbabwe (14%). The top three together account for 64%, out of 30 supplier countries in total. Niger grew fastest among the top ten, up 477% on the year.
What is the average import price of live horses per kg?
The average declared import value was about $27.33 per kg in 2024, 41% below the world average of $46.58 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 live horses to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $20.0 million in 2017 to $5.5 million in 2024, a fall of 73%. The peak was 2017 at $20.0 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export live horses?
Yes. South Africa exported $4.2 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to the United States, France and Australia. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $1.2 million a year.
What is the HS code for live horses?
The HS code for live horses is heading 0101. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 0101.29 (67% of the value) and 0101.21 (31%). It sits in HS chapter 01 (animals; live). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 0101 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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