Live sheep and goats imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $44.7 million of live sheep and goats in 2024 (19.6 thousand tonnes). It ranks 8th of 135 countries for imports of this product. That is close to the 2023 level. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable.
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 | $44.7M | 19.6K t |
| 2023 | $45.4M | 10.9K t |
| 2022 | $40.0M | 10.2K t |
| 2021 | $29.3M | 10.3K t |
| 2020 | $16.8M | 7.1K t |
| 2019 | $33.5M | 11.0K t |
| 2018 | $40.5M | 11.4K t |
| 2017 | $35.4M | 13.1K t |
Where South Africa imports live sheep and goats from
Namibia alone supplied 100% of it.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | $44.7M | 100% |
| Lesotho | $29K | 0.1% |
| Botswana | $0K | 0% |
Product types under HS 0104
| 0104.10 | Sheep: live | 85% |
| 0104.20 | Goats: live | 15% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 0104.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $2.28 per kg, 46% below the world average of $4.23, 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 sheep and goats exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported live sheep and goats worth $9.6 million (3.0 thousand tonnes). One buyer market dominates: Kuwait accounted for 55% of the value. Among the main buyer markets, Kenya grew fastest (+115% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Kuwait | $5.3M | 55% |
| Mauritius | $1.5M | 16% |
| Lesotho | $840K | 8.8% |
| Kenya | $481K | 5% |
| Uganda | $322K | 3.4% |
| Saudi Arabia | $262K | 2.7% |
| Zimbabwe | $212K | 2.2% |
| Egypt | $157K | 1.6% |
| United Arab Emirates | $140K | 1.5% |
| Tanzania | $96K | 1% |
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 0104: Sheep and goats; live.
Common questions
What is the value of live sheep and goats imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported live sheep and goats worth $44.7 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 19.6 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 8th of 135 countries worldwide, with 2% of world imports. The value was down 2% on 2023.
Which countries supply live sheep and goats to South Africa?
Namibia was the largest supplier with 100% of the value ($44.7 million), followed by Lesotho (0%) and Botswana (0%). The top three together account for 100%, out of 3 supplier countries in total.
What is the average import price of live sheep and goats per kg?
The average declared import value was about $2.28 per kg in 2024, 46% below the world average of $4.23 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 sheep and goats to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $35.4 million in 2017 to $44.7 million in 2024, an increase of 26%. The peak was 2023 at $45.4 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export live sheep and goats?
Yes. South Africa exported $9.6 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Kuwait, Mauritius and Lesotho. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $35.1 million a year.
What is the HS code for live sheep and goats?
The HS code for live sheep and goats is heading 0104. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 0104.10 (85% of the value) and 0104.20 (15%). It sits in HS chapter 01 (animals; live). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 0104 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.
More trade data for South Africa
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