Soy sauce imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported soy sauce worth $3.4 million (2.2 thousand tonnes). That is close to the 2023 level. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 12% a year on average.
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 | $3.4M | 2.2K t |
| 2023 | $3.4M | 2.1K t |
| 2022 | $3.2M | 2.2K t |
| 2021 | $3.2M | 1.8K t |
| 2020 | $2.7M | 1.7K t |
| 2019 | $2.3M | 1.4K t |
| 2018 | $1.9M | 1.3K t |
| 2017 | $1.6M | 1.1K t |
Where South Africa imports soy sauce from
Most of the value came from Taiwan (27%), Singapore (21%), Netherlands (17%). Among the main suppliers, Hong Kong grew fastest (+213% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Taiwan | $899K | 27% |
| Singapore | $710K | 21% |
| Netherlands | $568K | 17% |
| China | $555K | 16% |
| Thailand | $292K | 8.6% |
| Japan | $126K | 3.7% |
| Germany | $95K | 2.8% |
| Hong Kong | $67K | 2% |
| South Korea | $31K | 0.9% |
| United Kingdom | $12K | 0.4% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.54 per kg, close to the world average of $1.69.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Soy sauce exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported soy sauce worth $1.3 million (674 tonnes). Most of it went to Namibia (33%), Eswatini (12%), United Kingdom (10%). Among the main buyer markets, United Kingdom grew fastest (+857% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | $445K | 33% |
| Eswatini | $159K | 12% |
| United Kingdom | $131K | 9.8% |
| Botswana | $126K | 9.4% |
| Zimbabwe | $126K | 9.4% |
| Zambia | $74K | 5.5% |
| Malawi | $62K | 4.6% |
| Kenya | $50K | 3.7% |
| Lesotho | $36K | 2.7% |
| Mozambique | $32K | 2.4% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa soy sauce imports (HS 2103.10): 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 2103.10: Sauces: soya.
Common questions
What is the value of soy sauce imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported soy sauce worth $3.4 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 2.2 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 47th of 219 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 0% on 2023.
Which countries supply soy sauce to South Africa?
Taiwan was the largest supplier with 27% of the value ($899 thousand), followed by Singapore (21%) and the Netherlands (17%). The top three together account for 64%, out of 26 supplier countries in total. The United Kingdom grew fastest among the top ten, up 215% on the year.
What is the average import price of soy sauce per kg?
The average declared import value was about $1.54 per kg in 2024, 9% below the world average of $1.69 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of soy sauce to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $1.6 million in 2017 to $3.4 million in 2024, an increase of 115%. The peak was 2023 at $3.4 million. Over 8 years the average was $2.7 million a year.
Does South Africa also export soy sauce?
Yes. South Africa exported $1.3 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Namibia, Eswatini and the United Kingdom. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $2.0 million a year.
What is the HS code for soy sauce?
The HS code for soy sauce is subheading 2103.10. It sits in HS chapter 21 (miscellaneous edible preparations). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 2103 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
EximDataX rebuilds South Africa trade from the customs records of its trading partners, so the companies shipping to and from it are visible. Ask for a live look at your product.
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