Prepared beef exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
In 2024, South Africa exported prepared beef worth $12.4 million (3.5 thousand tonnes). That is 10% less than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2022, at $19.7 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 | $12.4M | 3.5K t |
| 2023 | $13.9M | 3.7K t |
| 2022 | $19.7M | 6.9K t |
| 2021 | $15.4M | 4.2K t |
| 2020 | $11.1M | 3.6K t |
| 2019 | $10.8M | 3.2K t |
| 2018 | $11.3M | 3.2K t |
| 2017 | $14.0M | 4.6K t |
Where South Africa exports prepared beef to
Most of it went to Botswana (33%), Namibia (32%), Zimbabwe (8%). Among the main buyer markets, Zambia grew fastest (+575% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Botswana | $4.2M | 34% |
| Namibia | $4.0M | 32% |
| Zimbabwe | $1.0M | 8.3% |
| Lesotho | $723K | 5.8% |
| Zambia | $659K | 5.3% |
| Mozambique | $624K | 5% |
| Eswatini | $479K | 3.9% |
| United Arab Emirates | $259K | 2.1% |
| Seychelles | $222K | 1.8% |
| Hong Kong | $59K | 0.5% |
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $3.52 per kg, 46% below the world average of $6.47, 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.
Prepared beef imports to South Africa
South Africa imported $203 thousand of prepared beef in 2024 (40 tonnes). The largest suppliers were Namibia (43%), Saudi Arabia (38%), New Zealand (6%). Among the main suppliers, Namibia grew fastest (+289% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | $88K | 43% |
| Saudi Arabia | $77K | 38% |
| New Zealand | $13K | 6.3% |
| United Arab Emirates | $12K | 5.7% |
| Italy | $5K | 2.3% |
| Iceland | $3K | 1.6% |
| Australia | $2K | 1.1% |
| Hong Kong | $1K | 0.6% |
| United Kingdom | $1K | 0.4% |
| South Korea | $1K | 0.3% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa prepared beef exports (HS 1602.50): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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Mirror data: built from the shipment records of the countries that trade with it.
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 1602.50: Meat preparations: of bovine animals, meat or meat offal, prepared or preserved (excluding livers and homogenised preparations).
Common questions
What is the value of prepared beef exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported prepared beef worth $12.4 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 3.5 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 27th of 138 countries worldwide, with 0% of world exports. The value was down 10% on 2023.
Which countries buy prepared beef from South Africa?
Botswana was the largest buyer with 33% of the value ($4.2 million), followed by Namibia (32%) and Zimbabwe (8%). The top three together account for 74%, out of 34 buyer countries in total. Zambia grew fastest among the top ten, up 575% on the year.
What is the average export price of prepared beef per kg?
The average declared export value was about $3.52 per kg in 2024, 46% below the world average of $6.47 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have exports of prepared beef from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $14.0 million in 2017 to $12.4 million in 2024, a fall of 11%. The peak was 2022 at $19.7 million. Over 8 years the average was $13.6 million a year.
Does South Africa also import prepared beef?
Yes. South Africa imported $203 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Namibia, Saudi Arabia and New Zealand. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $12.2 million a year.
What is the HS code for prepared beef?
The HS code for prepared beef is subheading 1602.50. It sits in HS chapter 16 (meat, fish, crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates, or insects; preparations thereof). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 1602 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
For South Africa, EximDataX reads the shipment records of the countries that trade with it and shows the companies on both sides. We can walk you through your product on a short call.
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