Pasta imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of pasta by South Africa reached $129.1 million in 2024 (95.3 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. That is 14% more than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 16% a year on average.
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 | $129.1M | 95.3K t |
| 2023 | $112.8M | 87.4K t |
| 2022 | $91.1M | 83.1K t |
| 2021 | $94.1M | 85.5K t |
| 2020 | $54.5M | 63.4K t |
| 2019 | $53.4M | 58.2K t |
| 2018 | $49.9M | 54.0K t |
| 2017 | $46.8M | 49.2K t |
Where South Africa imports pasta from
The largest suppliers were Eswatini (26%), Namibia (25%), Italy (16%). Among the main suppliers, Mozambique grew fastest (+126% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Eswatini | $33.9M | 26% |
| Namibia | $31.8M | 25% |
| Italy | $21.1M | 16% |
| Egypt | $8.2M | 6.4% |
| Indonesia | $7.2M | 5.6% |
| Latvia | $6.8M | 5.3% |
| China | $6.2M | 4.8% |
| Lithuania | $3.9M | 3% |
| Mozambique | $3.4M | 2.6% |
| South Korea | $2.4M | 1.8% |
Product types under HS 1902
| 1902.19 | Food preparations: pasta, uncooked (excluding that containing eggs), not stuffed or otherwise prepared | 61% |
| 1902.30 | Food preparations: pasta (excluding stuffed), cooked or otherwise prepared | 35% |
| 1902.40 | Food preparations: couscous | 2.1% |
| 1902.20 | Food preparations: pasta, stuffed (with meat or other substances), whether or not cooked or otherwise prepared | 1.3% |
| 1902.11 | Food preparations: pasta, containing eggs, uncooked, not stuffed or otherwise prepared | 0.8% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 1902.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.35 per kg, 29% below the world average of $1.89, 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.
Pasta exports from South Africa
Exports of pasta by South Africa reached $36.3 million in 2024 (25.3 thousand tonnes). Most of it went to Botswana (45%), Namibia (16%), Lesotho (10%). Among the main buyer markets, Mozambique grew fastest (+94% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Botswana | $16.3M | 45% |
| Namibia | $5.9M | 16% |
| Lesotho | $3.6M | 9.8% |
| Zambia | $3.0M | 8.3% |
| Mozambique | $2.7M | 7.5% |
| Eswatini | $1.7M | 4.6% |
| Zimbabwe | $1.4M | 3.9% |
| Malawi | $846K | 2.3% |
| Sweden | $192K | 0.5% |
| Netherlands | $113K | 0.3% |
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 1902: Pasta; whether or not cooked or stuffed with meat or other substance, or otherwise prepared, egg spaghetti, macaroni, noodles, lasagne, gnocchi, ravioli, cannelloni; couscous, whether or not prepared.
Common questions
What is the value of pasta imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported pasta worth $129.1 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 95.3 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 27th of 224 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 14% on 2023.
Which countries supply pasta to South Africa?
Eswatini was the largest supplier with 26% of the value ($33.9 million), followed by Namibia (25%) and Italy (16%). The top three together account for 67%, out of 60 supplier countries in total. Mozambique grew fastest among the top ten, up 126% on the year.
What is the average import price of pasta per kg?
The average declared import value was about $1.35 per kg in 2024, 29% below the world average of $1.89 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 pasta to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $46.8 million in 2017 to $129.1 million in 2024, an increase of 176%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export pasta?
Yes. South Africa exported $36.3 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Botswana, Namibia and Lesotho. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $92.7 million a year.
What is the HS code for pasta?
The HS code for pasta is heading 1902. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 1902.19 (61% of the value) and 1902.30 (35%). It sits in HS chapter 19 (preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk; pastrycooks' products). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 1902 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
See what your buyers are buying.Then decide.
Everything we show you comes from official customs filings — records, not claims. 30 minutes. Your shipment. Your HS code. Real platform. If you don’t see something new about your market by the end of the call, we walk away. No follow-ups.