Preserved meat exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
South Africa exported $6.0 million of preserved meat in 2024 (1.2 thousand tonnes). Value rose 61% on 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 18% a year on average.
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 | $6.0M | 1.2K t |
| 2023 | $3.7M | 922 t |
| 2022 | $2.4M | 618 t |
| 2021 | $1.7M | 333 t |
| 2020 | $1.0M | 333 t |
| 2019 | $1.5M | 367 t |
| 2018 | $4.7M | 1.0K t |
| 2017 | $1.8M | 713 t |
Where South Africa exports preserved meat to
The largest buyer markets were Jordan (19%), Qatar (18%), Seychelles (15%). Among the main buyer markets, United Arab Emirates grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Jordan | $1.2M | 19% |
| Qatar | $1.1M | 18% |
| Seychelles | $890K | 15% |
| Namibia | $448K | 7.5% |
| Hong Kong | $396K | 6.6% |
| Mozambique | $380K | 6.4% |
| United Arab Emirates | $309K | 5.2% |
| DR Congo | $292K | 4.9% |
| Kuwait | $159K | 2.7% |
| Mauritius | $133K | 2.2% |
Product types under HS 0210
| 0210.20 | Meat: salted, in brine, dried or smoked, of bovine animals | 59% |
| 0210.12 | Meat: salted, in brine, dried or smoked, of swine, bellies (streaky) and cuts thereof | 18% |
| 0210.19 | Meat: salted in brine, dried or smoked, of swine, n.e.c. in item no. 0210.1 | 17% |
| 0210.99 | Meat and edible meat offal: salted, in brine, dried or smoked, and edible flours and meals of meat or meat offal, other than of primates, whales… | 3.9% |
| 0210.11 | Meat: salted, in brine, dried or smoked, of swine, hams, shoulders and cuts thereof, with bone in | 2.5% |
| 0210.91 | Meat and edible meat offal: salted, in brine, dried or smoked, and edible flours and meals of meat or meat offal, of primates | 0.1% |
| 0210.93 | Meat and edible meat offal: salted, in brine, dried or smoked, and edible flours and meals of meat or meat offal, of reptiles (including snakes and… | 0% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 0210.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $4.88 per kg, close to the world average of $6.01.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Preserved meat imports to South Africa
South Africa imported $2.7 million of preserved meat in 2024 (376 tonnes). Italy alone supplied 57% of it. Among the main suppliers, Italy grew fastest (+62% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Italy | $1.5M | 57% |
| Namibia | $584K | 22% |
| United States | $257K | 9.6% |
| Spain | $177K | 6.6% |
| Canada | $103K | 3.8% |
| Netherlands | $19K | 0.7% |
| United Kingdom | $8K | 0.3% |
| France | $6K | 0.2% |
| Portugal | $1K | 0.1% |
| Norway | $1K | 0% |
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 0210: Meat and edible meat offal; salted, in brine, dried or smoked; edible flours and meals of meat or meat offal.
Common questions
What is the value of preserved meat exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported preserved meat worth $6.0 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 1.2 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 29th of 134 countries worldwide, with 0% of world exports. The value was up 61% on 2023.
Which countries buy preserved meat from South Africa?
Jordan was the largest buyer with 19% of the value ($1.2 million), followed by Qatar (18%) and the Seychelles (15%). The top three together account for 53%, out of 42 buyer countries in total. Hong Kong grew fastest among the top ten, up 272% on the year.
What is the average export price of preserved meat per kg?
The average declared export value was about $4.88 per kg in 2024, 19% below the world average of $6.01 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 preserved meat from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $1.8 million in 2017 to $6.0 million in 2024, an increase of 227%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import preserved meat?
Yes. South Africa imported $2.7 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Italy, Namibia and the United States. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $3.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for preserved meat?
The HS code for preserved meat is heading 0210. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 0210.20 (59% of the value) and 0210.12 (18%). It sits in HS chapter 02 (meat and edible meat offal). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 0210 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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