Molluscs exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
South Africa exported $133.3 million of molluscs in 2024 (11.0 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. That is 10% more than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2018, at $186.7 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 | $133.3M | 11.0K t |
| 2023 | $121.0M | 6.9K t |
| 2022 | $138.7M | 8.7K t |
| 2021 | $150.7M | 10.9K t |
| 2020 | $100.9M | 8.5K t |
| 2019 | $113.2M | 11.1K t |
| 2018 | $186.7M | 19.9K t |
| 2017 | $139.7M | 13.5K t |
Where South Africa exports molluscs to
Most of it went to Italy (27%), Hong Kong (23%), Spain (21%). Among the main buyer markets, Spain grew fastest (+97% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Italy | $35.6M | 27% |
| Hong Kong | $30.5M | 23% |
| Spain | $28.6M | 22% |
| Taiwan | $10.3M | 7.7% |
| Greece | $9.0M | 6.8% |
| Portugal | $4.3M | 3.2% |
| China | $2.8M | 2.1% |
| Croatia | $1.8M | 1.3% |
| United Kingdom | $1.2M | 0.9% |
| Singapore | $1.1M | 0.8% |
Product types under HS 0307
| 0307.43 | Molluscs: cuttle fish and squid, whether in shell or not, includes flours, meals, and pellets of molluscs, fit for human consumption, frozen | 63% |
| 0307.81 | Molluscs: abalone (Haliotis spp.), whether in shell or not, live, fresh or chilled | 17% |
| 0307.87 | Molluscs: abalone (Haliotis spp.), whether in shell or not, dried, salted, in brine, or smoked, cooked or not before or during the smoking process | 17% |
| 0307.52 | Molluscs: octopus (Octopus spp.), frozen | 1% |
| 0307.49 | Molluscs: cuttle fish and squid, whether in shell or not, includes flours, meals, and pellets of molluscs, fit for human consumption, dried, salted… | 0.7% |
| 0307.32 | Molluscs: mussels (Mytilus spp., Perna spp.), whether in shell or not, frozen | 0.4% |
| 0307.83 | Molluscs: abalone (Haliotis spp.), whether in shell or not, frozen | 0.3% |
| 0307.11 | Molluscs: oysters, whether in shell or not, live, fresh or chilled | 0.2% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 0307.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $12.12 per kg, 138% above the world average of $5.09. 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.
Molluscs imports to South Africa
South Africa imported $22.9 million of molluscs in 2024 (8.2 thousand tonnes). Most of the value came from China (31%), Namibia (16%), Spain (11%). Among the main suppliers, South Korea grew fastest (+682% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $7.2M | 31% |
| Namibia | $3.7M | 16% |
| Spain | $2.6M | 11% |
| Falkland Isds (Malvinas) | $2.1M | 9.2% |
| South Korea | $1.7M | 7.2% |
| Argentina | $1.6M | 7% |
| United States | $1.1M | 5% |
| Indonesia | $542K | 2.4% |
| Chile | $475K | 2.1% |
| Peru | $413K | 1.8% |
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 0307: Molluscs; whether in shell or not, live, fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, salted or in brine; smoked molluscs, whether in shell or not, whether or not cooked before or during the smoking process.
Common questions
What is the value of molluscs exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported molluscs worth $133.3 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 11.0 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 24th of 172 countries worldwide, with 1% of world exports. The value was up 10% on 2023.
Which countries buy molluscs from South Africa?
Italy was the largest buyer with 27% of the value ($35.6 million), followed by Hong Kong (23%) and Spain (21%). The top three together account for 71%, out of 52 buyer countries in total. The United Kingdom grew fastest among the top ten, up 613% on the year.
What is the average export price of molluscs per kg?
The average declared export value was about $12.12 per kg in 2024, 138% above the world average of $5.09 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 exports of molluscs from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $139.7 million in 2017 to $133.3 million in 2024, a fall of 5%. The peak was 2018 at $186.7 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import molluscs?
Yes. South Africa imported $22.9 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from China, Namibia and Spain. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $110.4 million a year.
What is the HS code for molluscs?
The HS code for molluscs is heading 0307. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 0307.43 (63% of the value) and 0307.81 (17%). It sits in HS chapter 03 (fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 0307 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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