Whole milk powder unsweetened imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported whole milk powder unsweetened worth $15.2 million (4.3 thousand tonnes). That is 13% less than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2021, at $21.5 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 | $15.2M | 4.3K t |
| 2023 | $17.4M | 4.3K t |
| 2022 | $18.9M | 4.0K t |
| 2021 | $21.5M | 5.9K t |
| 2020 | $16.8M | 4.9K t |
| 2019 | $9.2M | 2.8K t |
| 2018 | $15.3M | 4.7K t |
| 2017 | $12.5M | 3.8K t |
Where South Africa imports whole milk powder unsweetened from
One supplier dominates: New Zealand accounted for 51% of the value.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | $7.7M | 51% |
| Uruguay | $3.1M | 21% |
| France | $2.6M | 17% |
| Uganda | $486K | 3.2% |
| Zambia | $456K | 3% |
| Argentina | $194K | 1.3% |
| Germany | $177K | 1.2% |
| Netherlands | $135K | 0.9% |
| Italy | $122K | 0.8% |
| Hungary | $42K | 0.3% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $3.54 per kg, close to the world average of $3.91.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Whole milk powder unsweetened exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $14.5 million of whole milk powder unsweetened in 2024 (3.6 thousand tonnes). One buyer market dominates: Zambia accounted for 72% of the value.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zambia | $10.5M | 72% |
| Zimbabwe | $2.0M | 14% |
| Eswatini | $738K | 5.1% |
| Namibia | $471K | 3.3% |
| Mozambique | $173K | 1.2% |
| Togo | $155K | 1.1% |
| Madagascar | $114K | 0.8% |
| Malawi | $101K | 0.7% |
| DR Congo | $90K | 0.6% |
| Lesotho | $35K | 0.2% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa whole milk powder unsweetened imports (HS 0402.21): 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 0402.21: Dairy produce: milk and cream, concentrated, not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter, in powder, granules or other solid forms, of a fat content exceeding 1.5% (by weight).
Common questions
What is the value of whole milk powder unsweetened imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported whole milk powder unsweetened worth $15.2 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 4.3 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 61st of 214 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 13% on 2023.
Which countries supply whole milk powder unsweetened to South Africa?
New Zealand was the largest supplier with 51% of the value ($7.7 million), followed by Uruguay (21%) and France (17%). The top three together account for 89%, out of 19 supplier countries in total. The Netherlands grew fastest among the top ten, up 39% on the year.
What is the average import price of whole milk powder unsweetened per kg?
The average declared import value was about $3.54 per kg in 2024, 9% below the world average of $3.91 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of whole milk powder unsweetened to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $12.5 million in 2017 to $15.2 million in 2024, an increase of 21%. The peak was 2021 at $21.5 million. Over 8 years the average was $15.8 million a year.
Does South Africa also export whole milk powder unsweetened?
Yes. South Africa exported $14.5 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Zambia, Zimbabwe and Eswatini. That compares with imports of $15.2 million in the same year.
What is the HS code for whole milk powder unsweetened?
The HS code for whole milk powder unsweetened is subheading 0402.21. 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 0402 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.
Same product, other countries
World whole milk powder unsweetened trade: top importers and exporters
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