Vegetable materials exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
In 2024, South Africa exported vegetable materials worth $13.4 million (7.7 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. Value fell 5% from 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 12% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2019, at $38.0 million.
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 | $13.4M | 7.7K t |
| 2023 | $14.1M | 7.6K t |
| 2022 | $7.9M | 3.8K t |
| 2021 | $20.6M | 9.9K t |
| 2020 | $37.1M | 25.8K t |
| 2019 | $38.0M | 23.5K t |
| 2018 | $19.1M | 9.6K t |
| 2017 | $5.9M | 3.5K t |
Where South Africa exports vegetable materials to
Most of it went to China (31%), Indonesia (21%), Taiwan (21%). Among the main buyer markets, Mauritius grew fastest (+320% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $4.1M | 31% |
| Indonesia | $2.8M | 21% |
| Taiwan | $2.8M | 21% |
| Mauritius | $1.7M | 12% |
| Vietnam | $1.1M | 8.1% |
| Singapore | $442K | 3.3% |
| United States | $243K | 1.8% |
| Netherlands | $84K | 0.6% |
| Serbia | $70K | 0.5% |
| Ireland | $24K | 0.2% |
Product types under HS 1404
| 1404.20 | Vegetable products: cotton linters | 96% |
| 1404.90 | Vegetable products: n.e.c. in chapter 14 | 4.1% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 1404.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.74 per kg, 596% above the world average of $0.25. 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.
Vegetable materials imports to South Africa
In 2024, South Africa imported vegetable materials worth $3.1 million (9.7 thousand tonnes). The largest suppliers were Sri Lanka (26%), Eswatini (25%), Zambia (17%). Among the main suppliers, Sri Lanka grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka | $799K | 26% |
| Eswatini | $784K | 26% |
| Zambia | $518K | 17% |
| India | $327K | 11% |
| Peru | $160K | 5.2% |
| Zimbabwe | $92K | 3% |
| China | $92K | 3% |
| United States | $57K | 1.9% |
| France | $54K | 1.8% |
| Italy | $44K | 1.4% |
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 1404: Vegetable products not elsewhere specified or included.
Common questions
What is the value of vegetable materials exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported vegetable materials worth $13.4 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 7.7 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 21st of 150 countries worldwide, with 1% of world exports. The value was down 5% on 2023.
Which countries buy vegetable materials from South Africa?
China was the largest buyer with 31% of the value ($4.1 million), followed by Indonesia (21%) and Taiwan (21%). The top three together account for 72%, out of 39 buyer countries in total. Mauritius grew fastest among the top ten, up 320% on the year.
What is the average export price of vegetable materials per kg?
The average declared export value was about $1.74 per kg in 2024, 596% above the world average of $0.25 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 vegetable materials from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $5.9 million in 2017 to $13.4 million in 2024, an increase of 126%. The peak was 2019 at $38.0 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import vegetable materials?
Yes. South Africa imported $3.1 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Sri Lanka, Eswatini and Zambia. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $10.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for vegetable materials?
The HS code for vegetable materials is heading 1404. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 1404.20 (96% of the value) and 1404.90 (4%). It sits in HS chapter 14 (vegetable plaiting materials; vegetable products not elsewhere specified or included). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 1404 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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