Tropical fruit exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
Exports of tropical fruit by South Africa reached $330.0 million in 2024 (134.8 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 2%. Value rose 35% on 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 14% a year on average.
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 | $330.0M | 134.8K t |
| 2023 | $244.7M | 106.1K t |
| 2022 | $184.3M | 88.8K t |
| 2021 | $195.8M | 82.8K t |
| 2020 | $185.7M | 87.2K t |
| 2019 | $159.9M | 76.5K t |
| 2018 | $183.4M | 113.1K t |
| 2017 | $130.5M | 69.6K t |
Where South Africa exports tropical fruit to
Most of it went to Netherlands (47%), United Kingdom (16%), Germany (4%). Among the main buyer markets, Russia grew fastest (+96% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | $155.3M | 47% |
| United Kingdom | $51.6M | 16% |
| Germany | $14.8M | 4.5% |
| United Arab Emirates | $14.3M | 4.3% |
| Russia | $12.0M | 3.6% |
| France | $11.5M | 3.5% |
| Poland | $7.0M | 2.1% |
| Philippines | $5.5M | 1.7% |
| Norway | $5.0M | 1.5% |
| Spain | $4.8M | 1.5% |
Product types under HS 0804
| 0804.40 | Fruit, edible: avocados, fresh or dried | 78% |
| 0804.50 | Fruit, edible: guavas, mangoes and mangosteens, fresh or dried | 12% |
| 0804.10 | Fruit, edible: dates, fresh or dried | 8% |
| 0804.30 | Fruit, edible: pineapples, fresh or dried | 1.6% |
| 0804.20 | Fruit, edible: figs, fresh or dried | 0.6% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 0804.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $2.45 per kg, 46% above the world average of $1.68. 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.
Tropical fruit imports to South Africa
South Africa imported $14.9 million of tropical fruit in 2024 (12.4 thousand tonnes). Most of the value came from Namibia (35%), Tanzania (11%), Saudi Arabia (9%). Among the main suppliers, Iran grew fastest (+139% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | $5.3M | 36% |
| Tanzania | $1.7M | 11% |
| Saudi Arabia | $1.3M | 8.6% |
| Mozambique | $1.2M | 7.9% |
| Malawi | $880K | 5.9% |
| United Arab Emirates | $752K | 5% |
| Iran | $744K | 5% |
| Zimbabwe | $624K | 4.2% |
| Pakistan | $596K | 4% |
| Eswatini | $536K | 3.6% |
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 0804: Dates, figs, pineapples, avocados, guavas, mangoes and mangosteens; fresh or dried.
Common questions
What is the value of tropical fruit exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported tropical fruit worth $330.0 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 134.8 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 15th of 191 countries worldwide, with 2% of world exports. The value was up 35% on 2023.
Which countries buy tropical fruit from South Africa?
The Netherlands was the largest buyer with 47% of the value ($155.3 million), followed by the United Kingdom (16%) and Germany (4%). The top three together account for 67%, out of 101 buyer countries in total. Russia grew fastest among the top ten, up 96% on the year.
What is the average export price of tropical fruit per kg?
The average declared export value was about $2.45 per kg in 2024, 46% above the world average of $1.68 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 exports of tropical fruit from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $130.5 million in 2017 to $330.0 million in 2024, an increase of 153%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import tropical fruit?
Yes. South Africa imported $14.9 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Namibia, Tanzania and Saudi Arabia. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $315.1 million a year.
What is the HS code for tropical fruit?
The HS code for tropical fruit is heading 0804. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 0804.40 (78% of the value) and 0804.50 (12%). It sits in HS chapter 08 (fruit and nuts, edible; peel of citrus fruit or melons). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 0804 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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