Olive oil imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $14.0 million of olive oil in 2024 (1.7 thousand tonnes). That is 11% less than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 6% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2018, at $23.5 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 | $14.0M | 1.7K t |
| 2023 | $15.7M | 2.4K t |
| 2022 | $22.6M | 5.9K t |
| 2021 | $19.3M | 6.0K t |
| 2020 | $17.8M | 6.7K t |
| 2019 | $19.4M | 7.3K t |
| 2018 | $23.5M | 6.8K t |
| 2017 | $21.7M | 6.7K t |
Where South Africa imports olive oil from
One supplier dominates: Spain accounted for 53% of the value. Among the main suppliers, Greece grew fastest (+89% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Spain | $7.4M | 53% |
| Italy | $5.3M | 38% |
| Greece | $571K | 4.1% |
| Portugal | $372K | 2.7% |
| Turkey | $69K | 0.5% |
| Netherlands | $54K | 0.4% |
| France | $54K | 0.4% |
| Australia | $27K | 0.2% |
| Cyprus | $26K | 0.2% |
| Lesotho | $6K | 0% |
Product types under HS 1509
| 1509.10 | Vegetable oils: olive oil and its fractions, virgin, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified | 88% |
| 1509.90 | Vegetable oils: olive oil and its fractions, other than virgin, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified | 12% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 1509.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $8.03 per kg, close to the world average of $8.13.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Olive oil exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $5.7 million of olive oil in 2024 (1.2 thousand tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Botswana (19%), Namibia (18%), Zambia (11%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 47%. Among the main buyer markets, Mozambique grew fastest (+109% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Botswana | $1.1M | 19% |
| Namibia | $1.0M | 18% |
| Zambia | $628K | 11% |
| Mozambique | $524K | 9.2% |
| United States | $381K | 6.7% |
| Zimbabwe | $275K | 4.8% |
| Eswatini | $246K | 4.3% |
| Malawi | $209K | 3.7% |
| Taiwan | $183K | 3.2% |
| Lesotho | $182K | 3.2% |
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 1509: Olive oil and its fractions; whether or not refined, but not chemically modified.
Common questions
What is the value of olive oil imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported olive oil worth $14.0 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 1.7 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 63rd of 220 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 11% on 2023.
Which countries supply olive oil to South Africa?
Spain was the largest supplier with 53% of the value ($7.4 million), followed by Italy (38%) and Greece (4%). The top three together account for 96%, out of 34 supplier countries in total. France grew fastest among the top ten, up 749% on the year.
What is the average import price of olive oil per kg?
The average declared import value was about $8.03 per kg in 2024, close to the world average of $8.13 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 olive oil to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $21.7 million in 2017 to $14.0 million in 2024, a fall of 36%. The peak was 2018 at $23.5 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export olive oil?
Yes. South Africa exported $5.7 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Botswana, Namibia and Zambia. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $8.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for olive oil?
The HS code for olive oil is heading 1509. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 1509.10 (88% of the value) and 1509.90 (12%). 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 1509 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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