Other live animals exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
In 2024, South Africa exported other live animals worth $16.9 million (216 tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. Value rose 7% on 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2017, at $24.0 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 | $16.9M | 216 t |
| 2023 | $15.8M | 350 t |
| 2022 | $19.6M | 337 t |
| 2021 | $14.7M | 225 t |
| 2020 | $15.3M | 239 t |
| 2019 | $20.2M | 245 t |
| 2018 | $19.0M | 292 t |
| 2017 | $24.0M | 299 t |
Where South Africa exports other live animals to
Most of it went to United Arab Emirates (31%), Kuwait (9%), Iraq (6%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 46%. Among the main buyer markets, Uganda grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United Arab Emirates | $5.3M | 31% |
| Kuwait | $1.6M | 9.3% |
| Iraq | $1.0M | 6% |
| Lebanon | $980K | 5.8% |
| Spain | $724K | 4.3% |
| Thailand | $665K | 3.9% |
| United States | $561K | 3.3% |
| Uganda | $552K | 3.3% |
| Ghana | $506K | 3% |
| Mozambique | $487K | 2.9% |
Product types under HS 0106
| 0106.32 | Birds: live, Psittaciformes | 53% |
| 0106.19 | Mammals: live, other than primates, whales, dolphins, porpoises (mammals of the order Cetacea): manatees, dugongs (mammals of the order Sirenia)… | 28% |
| 0106.90 | Animals: live, n.e.c. in chapter 01, other than mammals, reptiles, birds and insects | 4.9% |
| 0106.11 | Mammals: live, primates | 4.3% |
| 0106.49 | Insects: live, other than bees | 3.7% |
| 0106.20 | Reptiles: live (including snakes and turtles) | 3.5% |
| 0106.39 | Birds: live, other than birds of prey, Psittaciformes, ostriches and emus (Dromaius novaehollandiae) | 2% |
| 0106.33 | Birds: live, ostriches: emus (Dromaius novaehollandiae) | 0.5% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 0106.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $78.21 per kg, 530% above the world average of $12.42. 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.
Other live animals imports to South Africa
Imports of other live animals by South Africa reached $2.6 million in 2024 (211 tonnes). Most of the value came from Netherlands (44%), Botswana (19%), Israel (12%). Among the main suppliers, Netherlands grew fastest (+384% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | $1.1M | 44% |
| Botswana | $483K | 19% |
| Israel | $317K | 12% |
| Kenya | $174K | 6.7% |
| Namibia | $68K | 2.6% |
| Germany | $64K | 2.5% |
| Belgium | $46K | 1.8% |
| United Kingdom | $41K | 1.6% |
| Turkey | $34K | 1.3% |
| Togo | $33K | 1.3% |
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 0106: Animals; live, n.e.c. in chapter 01.
Common questions
What is the value of other live animals exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported other live animals worth $16.9 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 216 tonnes. That ranks it 24th of 190 countries worldwide, with 1% of world exports. The value was up 7% on 2023.
Which countries buy other live animals from South Africa?
The United Arab Emirates was the largest buyer with 31% of the value ($5.3 million), followed by Kuwait (9%) and Iraq (6%). The top three together account for 46%, out of 103 buyer countries in total. The United Arab Emirates grew fastest among the top ten, up 128% on the year.
What is the average export price of other live animals per kg?
The average declared export value was about $78.21 per kg in 2024, 530% above the world average of $12.42 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 other live animals from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $24.0 million in 2017 to $16.9 million in 2024, a fall of 29%. The peak was 2017 at $24.0 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import other live animals?
Yes. South Africa imported $2.6 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from the Netherlands, Botswana and Israel. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $14.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for other live animals?
The HS code for other live animals is heading 0106. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 0106.32 (53% of the value) and 0106.19 (28%). It sits in HS chapter 01 (animals; live). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 0106 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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