Tea imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported tea worth $38.0 million (20.8 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 0%. Value rose 5% on 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 5% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2017, at $54.7 million.
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 | $38.0M | 20.8K t |
| 2023 | $36.1M | 20.2K t |
| 2022 | $38.3M | 20.3K t |
| 2021 | $38.1M | 21.4K t |
| 2020 | $41.0M | 23.3K t |
| 2019 | $43.1M | 21.7K t |
| 2018 | $45.5M | 22.1K t |
| 2017 | $54.7M | 27.0K t |
Where South Africa imports tea from
The largest suppliers were Malawi (37%), Zimbabwe (19%), Sri Lanka (18%). Among the main suppliers, China grew fastest (+53% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Malawi | $13.9M | 37% |
| Zimbabwe | $7.1M | 19% |
| Sri Lanka | $6.8M | 18% |
| Tanzania | $4.1M | 11% |
| Kenya | $2.3M | 6% |
| China | $1.7M | 4.5% |
| Poland | $608K | 1.6% |
| India | $313K | 0.8% |
| United Arab Emirates | $260K | 0.7% |
| Germany | $162K | 0.4% |
Product types under HS 0902
| 0902.40 | Tea, black: (fermented) and partly fermented tea, in immediate packings of a content exceeding 3kg | 88% |
| 0902.30 | Tea, black: (fermented) and partly fermented tea, in immediate packings of a content not exceeding 3kg | 5.3% |
| 0902.20 | Tea, green: (not fermented), in immediate packings of a content exceeding 3kg | 3.8% |
| 0902.10 | Tea, green: (not fermented), in immediate packings of a content not exceeding 3kg | 2.8% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 0902.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.83 per kg, 51% below the world average of $3.70, which often means bulk or lower-grade product.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Tea exports from South Africa
Exports of tea by South Africa reached $28.9 million in 2024 (5.7 thousand tonnes). Most of it went to Botswana (26%), Namibia (14%), Mozambique (14%). Among the main buyer markets, Zimbabwe grew fastest (+72% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Botswana | $7.4M | 26% |
| Namibia | $4.2M | 14% |
| Mozambique | $4.1M | 14% |
| Eswatini | $3.0M | 10% |
| United Kingdom | $2.9M | 10% |
| Lesotho | $2.4M | 8.3% |
| Zimbabwe | $1.6M | 5.5% |
| Zambia | $883K | 3.1% |
| United States | $430K | 1.5% |
| DR Congo | $254K | 0.9% |
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 0902: Tea.
Common questions
What is the value of tea imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported tea worth $38.0 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 20.8 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 48th of 222 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 5% on 2023.
Which countries supply tea to South Africa?
Malawi was the largest supplier with 37% of the value ($13.9 million), followed by Zimbabwe (19%) and Sri Lanka (18%). The top three together account for 73%, out of 72 supplier countries in total. Poland grew fastest among the top ten, up 54% on the year.
What is the average import price of tea per kg?
The average declared import value was about $1.83 per kg in 2024, 51% below the world average of $3.70 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 tea to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $54.7 million in 2017 to $38.0 million in 2024, a fall of 31%. The peak was 2017 at $54.7 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export tea?
Yes. South Africa exported $28.9 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Botswana, Namibia and Mozambique. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $9.1 million a year.
What is the HS code for tea?
The HS code for tea is heading 0902. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 0902.40 (88% of the value) and 0902.30 (5%). It sits in HS chapter 09 (coffee, tea, mate and spices). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 0902 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.
More trade data for South Africa
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