Oil cake imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of oil cake by South Africa reached $19.2 million in 2024 (58.8 thousand tonnes). That is 18% more than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2019, at $39.7 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 | $19.2M | 58.8K t |
| 2023 | $16.3M | 63.5K t |
| 2022 | $15.5M | 59.1K t |
| 2021 | $32.4M | 104.3K t |
| 2020 | $18.4M | 85.4K t |
| 2019 | $39.7M | 187.3K t |
| 2018 | $24.5M | 108.0K t |
| 2017 | $20.1M | 90.3K t |
Where South Africa imports oil cake from
Most of the value came from Argentina (31%), Zambia (31%), Benin (11%). Among the main suppliers, Ghana grew fastest (+288% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Argentina | $6.0M | 31% |
| Zambia | $5.9M | 31% |
| Benin | $2.2M | 11% |
| Tanzania | $1.3M | 7% |
| China | $1.1M | 5.5% |
| Mozambique | $745K | 3.9% |
| India | $483K | 2.5% |
| Ghana | $422K | 2.2% |
| Cote d'Ivoire | $367K | 1.9% |
| Malaysia | $238K | 1.2% |
Product types under HS 2306
| 2306.30 | Oil-cake and other solid residues: whether or not ground or in the form of pellets, resulting from the extraction of sunflower seed oils | 57% |
| 2306.10 | Oil-cake and other solid residues: whether or not ground or in the form of pellets, resulting from the extraction of cotton seed oils | 25% |
| 2306.90 | Oil-cake and other solid residues: whether or not ground or in the form of pellets, resulting from the extraction of oils, n.e.c. in heading no. 2306 | 8.9% |
| 2306.60 | Oil-cake and other solid residues: whether or not ground or in the form of pellets, resulting from the extraction of palm nuts or kernels oils | 5.6% |
| 2306.50 | Oil-cake and other solid residues: whether or not ground or in the form of pellets, resulting from the extraction of coconut or copra seed oils | 3.1% |
| 2306.49 | Oil-cake and other solid residues: whether or not ground or in the form of pellets, resulting from the extraction of rape seed oils (other than low… | 0.5% |
| 2306.41 | Oil-cake and other solid residues: whether or not ground or in the form of pellets, resulting from the extraction of low erucic acid rape or colza… | 0.2% |
| 2306.20 | Oil-cake and other solid residues: whether or not ground or in the form of pellets, resulting from the extraction of linseed oils | 0% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 2306.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.33 per kg, close to the world average of $0.28.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Oil cake exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $6.4 million of oil cake in 2024 (17.6 thousand tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Botswana (40%), Eswatini (31%), Namibia (19%). Among the main buyer markets, Namibia grew fastest (+240% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Botswana | $2.5M | 40% |
| Eswatini | $2.0M | 31% |
| Namibia | $1.2M | 19% |
| Lesotho | $337K | 5.3% |
| Mozambique | $251K | 3.9% |
| Zambia | $67K | 1% |
| Zimbabwe | $39K | 0.6% |
| Netherlands | $2K | 0% |
| DR Congo | $1K | 0% |
| Canada | $0K | 0% |
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 2306: Oil-cake and other solid residues; whether or not ground or in the form of pellets, resulting from the extraction of vegetable or microbial fats or oils, other than those of heading no. 2304 or 2305.
Common questions
What is the value of oil cake imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported oil cake worth $19.2 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 58.8 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 45th of 180 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 18% on 2023.
Which countries supply oil cake to South Africa?
Argentina was the largest supplier with 31% of the value ($6.0 million), followed by Zambia (31%) and Benin (11%). The top three together account for 73%, out of 23 supplier countries in total. Ghana grew fastest among the top ten, up 288% on the year.
What is the average import price of oil cake per kg?
The average declared import value was about $0.33 per kg in 2024, 18% above the world average of $0.28 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 oil cake to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $20.1 million in 2017 to $19.2 million in 2024, a fall of 4%. The peak was 2019 at $39.7 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export oil cake?
Yes. South Africa exported $6.4 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Botswana, Eswatini and Namibia. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $12.8 million a year.
What is the HS code for oil cake?
The HS code for oil cake is heading 2306. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 2306.30 (57% of the value) and 2306.10 (25%). It sits in HS chapter 23 (food industries, residues and wastes thereof; prepared animal fodder). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 2306 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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