Rice imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported rice worth $635.3 million (1.06 million tonnes). Its share of world imports was 2%. That is close to the 2023 level. 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 | $635.3M | 1.06M t |
| 2023 | $618.0M | 1.20M t |
| 2022 | $472.1M | 1.04M t |
| 2021 | $496.4M | 1.01M t |
| 2020 | $534.5M | 1.03M t |
| 2019 | $442.0M | 966.0K t |
| 2018 | $510.8M | 1.07M t |
| 2017 | $519.3M | 1.09M t |
Where South Africa imports rice from
One supplier dominates: Thailand accounted for 77% of the value.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Thailand | $487.3M | 77% |
| India | $125.1M | 20% |
| Pakistan | $8.3M | 1.3% |
| Vietnam | $8.0M | 1.3% |
| United Kingdom | $1.7M | 0.3% |
| United Arab Emirates | $1.1M | 0.2% |
| Taiwan | $667K | 0.1% |
| Brazil | $565K | 0.1% |
| Italy | $464K | 0.1% |
| Australia | $454K | 0.1% |
Product types under HS 1006
| 1006.30 | Cereals: rice, semi-milled or wholly milled, whether or not polished or glazed | 99% |
| 1006.40 | Cereals: rice, broken | 0.7% |
| 1006.20 | Cereals: husked (brown) rice | 0.1% |
| 1006.10 | Cereals: rice in the husk (paddy or rough) | 0.1% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 1006.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.60 per kg, close to the world average of $0.64.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Rice exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported rice worth $106.3 million (145.7 thousand tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Botswana (44%), Eswatini (25%), Zimbabwe (11%). Among the main buyer markets, Eswatini grew fastest (+664% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Botswana | $46.5M | 44% |
| Eswatini | $26.3M | 25% |
| Zimbabwe | $11.3M | 11% |
| Namibia | $8.5M | 8% |
| Lesotho | $8.0M | 7.5% |
| Zambia | $2.9M | 2.7% |
| Mozambique | $1.5M | 1.4% |
| DR Congo | $956K | 0.9% |
| United States | $97K | 0.1% |
| Malawi | $61K | 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 1006: Rice.
Common questions
What is the value of rice imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported rice worth $635.3 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 1.06 million tonnes. That ranks it 17th of 223 countries worldwide, with 2% of world imports. The value was up 3% on 2023.
Which countries supply rice to South Africa?
Thailand was the largest supplier with 77% of the value ($487.3 million), followed by India (20%) and Pakistan (1%). The top three together account for 98%, out of 52 supplier countries in total. Brazil grew fastest among the top ten, up 228% on the year.
What is the average import price of rice per kg?
The average declared import value was about $0.60 per kg in 2024, 6% below the world average of $0.64 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 rice to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $519.3 million in 2017 to $635.3 million in 2024, an increase of 22%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export rice?
Yes. South Africa exported $106.3 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Botswana, Eswatini and Zimbabwe. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $529.0 million a year.
What is the HS code for rice?
The HS code for rice is heading 1006. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 1006.30 (99% of the value) and 1006.40 (1%). It sits in HS chapter 10 (cereals). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 1006 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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