Processed cereals imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of processed cereals by South Africa reached $16.8 million in 2024 (21.3 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. That is 22% more 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 .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $16.8M | 21.3K t |
| 2023 | $13.8M | 16.5K t |
| 2022 | $13.2M | 29.1K t |
| 2021 | $13.3M | 36.0K t |
| 2020 | $10.6M | 22.7K t |
| 2019 | $12.2M | 19.9K t |
| 2018 | $9.4M | 17.9K t |
| 2017 | $11.6M | 37.9K t |
Where South Africa imports processed cereals from
Most of the value came from United Kingdom (32%), Lithuania (24%), Lesotho (19%). Among the main suppliers, Lesotho grew fastest (+93% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | $5.5M | 32% |
| Lithuania | $4.1M | 24% |
| Lesotho | $3.3M | 19% |
| Eswatini | $1.4M | 8.5% |
| Latvia | $1.4M | 8.3% |
| Russia | $270K | 1.6% |
| Finland | $255K | 1.5% |
| Ukraine | $213K | 1.3% |
| United Arab Emirates | $148K | 0.9% |
| Poland | $122K | 0.7% |
Product types under HS 1104
| 1104.12 | Cereal grains: rolled or flaked, of oats | 68% |
| 1104.29 | Cereal grains: worked, other than rolled or flaked (e.g. Hulled, pearled, sliced or kibbled) of cereals, excluding oats and maize, and rice of… | 20% |
| 1104.19 | Cereal grains: rolled or flaked, other than oats | 6.4% |
| 1104.22 | Cereal grains: worked (e.g. hulled, pearled, sliced or kibbled) of oats | 3.2% |
| 1104.23 | Cereal grains: worked (e.g. hulled, pearled, sliced or kibbled) of maize (corn) | 2.4% |
| 1104.30 | Cereal: germ of cereals, whole, rolled, flaked or ground | 0% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 1104.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.79 per kg, 27% above the world average of $0.62. 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.
Processed cereals exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported processed cereals worth $8.4 million (11.4 thousand tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Zimbabwe (17%), Namibia (15%), Eswatini (15%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 47%. Among the main buyer markets, Malawi grew fastest (+300% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zimbabwe | $1.4M | 17% |
| Namibia | $1.3M | 15% |
| Eswatini | $1.2M | 15% |
| Zambia | $841K | 10% |
| Botswana | $833K | 10% |
| Mozambique | $724K | 8.7% |
| Malawi | $550K | 6.6% |
| Lesotho | $290K | 3.5% |
| DR Congo | $275K | 3.3% |
| Tanzania | $236K | 2.8% |
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 1104: Cereal grains otherwise worked (e.g. hulled, rolled, flaked, pearled, sliced or kibbled) except rice of heading no. 1006; germ of cereals whole, rolled, flaked or ground.
Common questions
What is the value of processed cereals imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported processed cereals worth $16.8 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 21.3 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 32nd of 218 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 22% on 2023.
Which countries supply processed cereals to South Africa?
The United Kingdom was the largest supplier with 32% of the value ($5.5 million), followed by Lithuania (24%) and Lesotho (19%). The top three together account for 76%, out of 34 supplier countries in total. Ukraine grew fastest among the top ten, up 173% on the year.
What is the average import price of processed cereals per kg?
The average declared import value was about $0.79 per kg in 2024, 27% above the world average of $0.62 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 processed cereals to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $11.6 million in 2017 to $16.8 million in 2024, an increase of 45%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export processed cereals?
Yes. South Africa exported $8.4 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Zimbabwe, Namibia and Eswatini. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $8.5 million a year.
What is the HS code for processed cereals?
The HS code for processed cereals is heading 1104. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 1104.12 (68% of the value) and 1104.29 (20%). It sits in HS chapter 11 (products of the milling industry; malt, starches, inulin, wheat gluten). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 1104 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.
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