Onions and garlic exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
Exports of onions and garlic by South Africa reached $37.7 million in 2024 (111.4 thousand tonnes). Value fell 9% from 2023. 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 | $37.7M | 111.4K t |
| 2023 | $41.4M | 111.5K t |
| 2022 | $34.2M | 63.6K t |
| 2021 | $38.6M | 119.8K t |
| 2020 | $29.9M | 110.7K t |
| 2019 | $35.6M | 124.4K t |
| 2018 | $35.7M | 96.7K t |
| 2017 | $31.0M | 107.6K t |
Where South Africa exports onions and garlic to
The largest buyer markets were Mozambique (49%), Angola (6%), Netherlands (6%). Among the main buyer markets, Mauritius grew fastest (+257% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Mozambique | $18.6M | 49% |
| Angola | $2.3M | 6% |
| Netherlands | $2.2M | 5.8% |
| United Kingdom | $2.1M | 5.5% |
| Eswatini | $2.0M | 5.3% |
| Namibia | $2.0M | 5.2% |
| Spain | $1.6M | 4.2% |
| Lesotho | $1.1M | 3% |
| Mauritius | $1.0M | 2.7% |
| DR Congo | $862K | 2.3% |
Product types under HS 0703
| 0703.10 | Vegetables, alliaceous: onions and shallots, fresh or chilled | 93% |
| 0703.20 | Vegetables, alliaceous: garlic, fresh or chilled | 5.8% |
| 0703.90 | Vegetables, alliaceous: leeks and other kinds n.e.c. in heading no. 0703, fresh or chilled | 1.5% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 0703.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.34 per kg, 55% below the world average of $0.76, which often means bulk or lower-grade product.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Onions and garlic imports to South Africa
Imports of onions and garlic by South Africa reached $11.3 million in 2024 (7.3 thousand tonnes). The largest suppliers were China (28%), Namibia (17%), India (15%). Among the main suppliers, Netherlands grew fastest (+172% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $3.1M | 28% |
| Namibia | $1.9M | 17% |
| India | $1.7M | 15% |
| Malaysia | $1.7M | 15% |
| Spain | $1.1M | 9.7% |
| Vietnam | $450K | 4% |
| Argentina | $445K | 3.9% |
| Netherlands | $312K | 2.8% |
| New Zealand | $298K | 2.6% |
| Egypt | $87K | 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 0703: Onions, shallots, garlic, leeks and other alliaceous vegetables; fresh or chilled.
Common questions
What is the value of onions and garlic exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported onions and garlic worth $37.7 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 111.4 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 25th of 169 countries worldwide, with 0% of world exports. The value was down 9% on 2023.
Which countries buy onions and garlic from South Africa?
Mozambique was the largest buyer with 49% of the value ($18.6 million), followed by Angola (6%) and the Netherlands (6%). The top three together account for 61%, out of 61 buyer countries in total. Mauritius grew fastest among the top ten, up 257% on the year.
What is the average export price of onions and garlic per kg?
The average declared export value was about $0.34 per kg in 2024, 55% below the world average of $0.76 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 onions and garlic from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $31.0 million in 2017 to $37.7 million in 2024, an increase of 22%. The peak was 2023 at $41.4 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import onions and garlic?
Yes. South Africa imported $11.3 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from China, Namibia and India. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $26.4 million a year.
What is the HS code for onions and garlic?
The HS code for onions and garlic is heading 0703. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 0703.10 (93% of the value) and 0703.20 (6%). It sits in HS chapter 07 (vegetables and certain roots and tubers; edible). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 0703 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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