Oil seed meal exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
South Africa exported $10.7 million of oil seed meal in 2024 (16.2 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. Value fell 88% from 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 7% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2023, at $92.6 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 | $10.7M | 16.2K t |
| 2023 | $92.6M | 9.1K t |
| 2022 | $15.4M | 19.1K t |
| 2021 | $17.1M | 23.2K t |
| 2020 | $19.7M | 35.9K t |
| 2019 | $15.1M | 27.9K t |
| 2018 | $14.5M | 28.6K t |
| 2017 | $17.4M | 35.3K t |
Where South Africa exports oil seed meal to
Most of it went to Zimbabwe (34%), Eswatini (28%), Togo (15%). Among the main buyer markets, Eswatini grew fastest (+157% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zimbabwe | $3.6M | 34% |
| Eswatini | $2.9M | 28% |
| Togo | $1.6M | 15% |
| Namibia | $1.1M | 9.9% |
| Timor-Leste | $491K | 4.6% |
| Lesotho | $448K | 4.2% |
| Malawi | $174K | 1.6% |
| Botswana | $107K | 1% |
| Angola | $82K | 0.8% |
| Zambia | $28K | 0.3% |
Product types under HS 1208
| 1208.10 | Flours and meals: of soya beans | 77% |
| 1208.90 | Flours and meals of oil seeds or oleaginous fruits: excluding soya beans and mustard seeds | 23% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 1208.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.66 per kg, close to the world average of $0.60.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Oil seed meal imports to South Africa
South Africa imported $583 thousand of oil seed meal in 2024 (287 tonnes). The largest suppliers were Greece (41%), Germany (13%), United States (9%). Among the main suppliers, India grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Greece | $238K | 41% |
| Germany | $75K | 13% |
| United States | $54K | 9.2% |
| China | $49K | 8.3% |
| Malawi | $45K | 7.7% |
| Egypt | $40K | 6.8% |
| India | $33K | 5.6% |
| Portugal | $26K | 4.5% |
| Zambia | $15K | 2.6% |
| Thailand | $9K | 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
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 1208: Flours and meals of oil seeds or oleaginous fruits; other than those of mustard.
Common questions
What is the value of oil seed meal exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported oil seed meal worth $10.7 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 16.2 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 18th of 125 countries worldwide, with 1% of world exports. The value was down 88% on 2023.
Which countries buy oil seed meal from South Africa?
Zimbabwe was the largest buyer with 34% of the value ($3.6 million), followed by Eswatini (28%) and Togo (15%). The top three together account for 77%, out of 36 buyer countries in total. Eswatini grew fastest among the top ten, up 157% on the year.
What is the average export price of oil seed meal per kg?
The average declared export value was about $0.66 per kg in 2024, 10% above the world average of $0.60 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 oil seed meal from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $17.4 million in 2017 to $10.7 million in 2024, a fall of 39%. The peak was 2023 at $92.6 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import oil seed meal?
Yes. South Africa imported $583 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Greece, Germany and the United States. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $10.1 million a year.
What is the HS code for oil seed meal?
The HS code for oil seed meal is heading 1208. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 1208.10 (77% of the value) and 1208.90 (23%). It sits in HS chapter 12 (oil seeds and oleaginous fruits; miscellaneous grains, seeds and fruit, industrial or medicinal plants; straw and fodder). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 1208 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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