Margarine exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
In 2024, South Africa exported margarine worth $46.6 million (27.7 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. 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 .
Exports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $46.6M | 27.7K t |
| 2023 | $47.2M | 29.9K t |
| 2022 | $55.1M | 30.1K t |
| 2021 | $44.0M | 26.9K t |
| 2020 | $36.4M | 26.2K t |
| 2019 | $33.5M | 22.2K t |
| 2018 | $39.2M | 85.9K t |
| 2017 | $42.7M | 28.3K t |
Where South Africa exports margarine to
The largest buyer markets were Namibia (22%), Zambia (15%), Mozambique (14%).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | $10.2M | 22% |
| Zambia | $7.0M | 15% |
| Mozambique | $6.5M | 14% |
| Botswana | $4.3M | 9.3% |
| Eswatini | $4.1M | 8.9% |
| Mauritius | $4.0M | 8.7% |
| DR Congo | $3.6M | 7.7% |
| Zimbabwe | $2.6M | 5.7% |
| Lesotho | $2.3M | 4.9% |
| Madagascar | $825K | 1.8% |
Product types under HS 1517
| 1517.10 | Margarine: excluding liquid margarine | 71% |
| 1517.90 | Edible mixtures or preparations of animal or vegetable fats or oils or of fractions of different fats or oils of this chapter, other than edible fats… | 29% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 1517.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.68 per kg, close to the world average of $1.68.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Margarine imports to South Africa
Imports of margarine by South Africa reached $17.2 million in 2024 (6.5 thousand tonnes). The largest suppliers were Malaysia (38%), Singapore (20%), Indonesia (12%). Among the main suppliers, Spain grew fastest (+169% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Malaysia | $6.5M | 38% |
| Singapore | $3.4M | 20% |
| Indonesia | $2.1M | 12% |
| Spain | $1.5M | 8.5% |
| China | $898K | 5.2% |
| Australia | $682K | 4% |
| Nigeria | $671K | 3.9% |
| Switzerland | $373K | 2.2% |
| United States | $371K | 2.2% |
| Germany | $144K | 0.8% |
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 1517: Margarine; edible mixtures or preparations of animal, vegetable or microbial fats or oils or of fractions of different fats or oils of this Chapter, other than edible fats and oils or their fractions of heading 15.16.
Common questions
What is the value of margarine exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported margarine worth $46.6 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 27.7 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 32nd of 157 countries worldwide, with 1% of world exports. The value was down 1% on 2023.
Which countries buy margarine from South Africa?
Namibia was the largest buyer with 22% of the value ($10.2 million), followed by Zambia (15%) and Mozambique (14%). The top three together account for 51%, out of 34 buyer countries in total. Mauritius grew fastest among the top ten, up 28% on the year.
What is the average export price of margarine per kg?
The average declared export value was about $1.68 per kg in 2024, close to the world average of $1.68 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 margarine from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $42.7 million in 2017 to $46.6 million in 2024, an increase of 9%. The peak was 2022 at $55.1 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import margarine?
Yes. South Africa imported $17.2 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $29.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for margarine?
The HS code for margarine is heading 1517. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 1517.10 (71% of the value) and 1517.90 (29%). It sits in HS chapter 15 (animal, vegetable or microbial fats and oils and their cleavage products; prepared edible fats; animal or vegetable waxes). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 1517 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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