Plant bulbs and roots exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
Exports of plant bulbs and roots by South Africa reached $10.5 million in 2024 (2.1 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. That is 4% less than in 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 | $10.5M | 2.1K t |
| 2023 | $10.9M | 2.5K t |
| 2022 | $11.3M | 2.5K t |
| 2021 | $11.2M | 2.4K t |
| 2020 | $8.5M | 2.0K t |
| 2019 | $7.2M | 1.6K t |
| 2018 | $7.8M | 1.2K t |
| 2017 | $8.1M | 1.9K t |
Where South Africa exports plant bulbs and roots to
Most of it went to China (32%), Netherlands (26%), Sweden (11%). Among the main buyer markets, Denmark grew fastest (+68% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $3.3M | 32% |
| Netherlands | $2.8M | 26% |
| Sweden | $1.2M | 11% |
| United States | $866K | 8.2% |
| Finland | $848K | 8% |
| Norway | $675K | 6.4% |
| Denmark | $189K | 1.8% |
| Australia | $133K | 1.3% |
| Canada | $109K | 1% |
| Hong Kong | $70K | 0.7% |
Product types under HS 0601
| 0601.10 | Plants, live: bulbs, tubers, tuberous roots, corms, crowns and rhizomes, dormant | 97% |
| 0601.20 | Plants, live: bulbs, tubers, tuberous roots, corms, crowns and rhizomes, in growth or in flower, chicory plants and roots other than of heading no.… | 3.5% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 0601.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $5.12 per kg, close to the world average of $4.42.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Plant bulbs and roots imports to South Africa
In 2024, South Africa imported plant bulbs and roots worth $4.6 million (1.2 thousand tonnes). Netherlands alone supplied 95% of it. Among the main suppliers, Netherlands grew fastest (+36% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | $4.3M | 95% |
| Italy | $101K | 2.2% |
| China | $64K | 1.4% |
| Israel | $20K | 0.4% |
| Zimbabwe | $18K | 0.4% |
| Thailand | $14K | 0.3% |
| Taiwan | $9K | 0.2% |
| Philippines | $6K | 0.1% |
| New Zealand | $5K | 0.1% |
| France | $4K | 0.1% |
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 0601: Bulbs, tubers, tuberous roots, corms, crowns and rhizomes; dormant, in growth or in flower; chicory plants and roots other than roots of heading no. 1212.
Common questions
What is the value of plant bulbs and roots exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported plant bulbs and roots worth $10.5 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 2.1 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 15th of 125 countries worldwide, with 1% of world exports. The value was down 4% on 2023.
Which countries buy plant bulbs and roots from South Africa?
China was the largest buyer with 32% of the value ($3.3 million), followed by the Netherlands (26%) and Sweden (11%). The top three together account for 69%, out of 43 buyer countries in total. Denmark grew fastest among the top ten, up 68% on the year.
What is the average export price of plant bulbs and roots per kg?
The average declared export value was about $5.12 per kg in 2024, 16% above the world average of $4.42 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 plant bulbs and roots from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $8.1 million in 2017 to $10.5 million in 2024, an increase of 30%. The peak was 2022 at $11.3 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import plant bulbs and roots?
Yes. South Africa imported $4.6 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from the Netherlands, Italy and China. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $5.9 million a year.
What is the HS code for plant bulbs and roots?
The HS code for plant bulbs and roots is heading 0601. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 0601.10 (96% of the value) and 0601.20 (4%). It sits in HS chapter 06 (trees and other plants, live; bulbs, roots and the like; cut flowers and ornamental foliage). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 0601 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.
Same product, other countries
More trade data for South Africa
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