Skim milk exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
Exports of skim milk by South Africa reached $31.2 million in 2024 (42.4 thousand tonnes). It ranks 6th of 129 countries for exports of this product. The value was almost unchanged from 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 | $31.2M | 42.4K t |
| 2023 | $30.8M | 42.1K t |
| 2022 | $31.9M | 43.6K t |
| 2021 | $26.2M | 40.3K t |
| 2020 | $19.8M | 38.5K t |
| 2019 | $23.5M | 34.9K t |
| 2018 | $18.4M | 28.3K t |
| 2017 | $18.3M | 20.3K t |
Where South Africa exports skim milk to
The largest buyer markets were Lesotho (40%), Botswana (25%), Eswatini (14%). Among the main buyer markets, Mozambique grew fastest (+122% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Lesotho | $12.6M | 40% |
| Botswana | $7.7M | 25% |
| Eswatini | $4.3M | 14% |
| Mozambique | $2.9M | 9.2% |
| Namibia | $2.3M | 7.3% |
| Comoros | $418K | 1.3% |
| Mauritius | $239K | 0.8% |
| DR Congo | $161K | 0.5% |
| Saint Helena | $117K | 0.4% |
| Kenya | $107K | 0.3% |
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.74 per kg, 25% above the world average of $0.59. 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.
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa skim milk exports (HS 0401.10): 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 0401.10: Dairy produce: milk and cream, not concentrated, not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter, of a fat content, by weight, not exceeding 1%.
Common questions
What is the value of skim milk exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported skim milk worth $31.2 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 42.4 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 6th of 129 countries worldwide, with 4% of world exports. The value was up 1% on 2023.
Which countries buy skim milk from South Africa?
Lesotho was the largest buyer with 40% of the value ($12.6 million), followed by Botswana (25%) and Eswatini (14%). The top three together account for 79%, out of 26 buyer countries in total. The Comoros grew fastest among the top ten, up 132% on the year.
What is the average export price of skim milk per kg?
The average declared export value was about $0.74 per kg in 2024, 25% above the world average of $0.59 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have exports of skim milk from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $18.3 million in 2017 to $31.2 million in 2024, an increase of 71%. The peak was 2022 at $31.9 million. Over 8 years the average was $25.0 million a year.
What is the HS code for skim milk?
The HS code for skim milk is subheading 0401.10. It sits in HS chapter 04 (dairy produce; birds' eggs; natural honey; edible products of animal origin, not elsewhere specified or included). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 0401 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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