Yams imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported yams worth $2.2 million (5.3 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. That is 17% more than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 23% 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 | $2.2M | 5.3K t |
| 2023 | $1.9M | 4.5K t |
| 2022 | $2.2M | 5.1K t |
| 2021 | $1.7M | 3.7K t |
| 2020 | $1.7M | 3.1K t |
| 2019 | $1.2M | 1.8K t |
| 2018 | $2.2M | 1.8K t |
| 2017 | $514K | 1.4K t |
Where South Africa imports yams from
Ghana alone supplied 98% of it.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Ghana | $2.1M | 98% |
| Nigeria | $16K | 0.7% |
| Italy | $9K | 0.4% |
| Kenya | $8K | 0.4% |
| Zambia | $8K | 0.4% |
| China | $3K | 0.1% |
| Germany | $2K | 0.1% |
| Uganda | $1K | 0.1% |
| India | $0K | 0% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.41 per kg, 70% below the world average of $1.35, 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.
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa yams imports (HS 0714.30): 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 0714.30: Vegetable roots and tubers: yams (Dioscorea spp.) with high starch or inulin content, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not sliced or in the form of pellets.
Common questions
What is the value of yams imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported yams worth $2.2 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 5.3 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 12th of 136 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 17% on 2023.
Which countries supply yams to South Africa?
Ghana was the largest supplier with 98% of the value ($2.1 million), followed by Nigeria (1%) and Italy (0%). The top three together account for 99%, out of 9 supplier countries in total. Zambia grew fastest among the top ten, up 241% on the year.
What is the average import price of yams per kg?
The average declared import value was about $0.41 per kg in 2024, 70% below the world average of $1.35 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of yams to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $514 thousand in 2017 to $2.2 million in 2024, an increase of 326%. The peak was 2018 at $2.2 million. Over 8 years the average was $1.7 million a year.
What is the HS code for yams?
The HS code for yams is subheading 0714.30. It sits in HS chapter 07 (vegetables and certain roots and tubers; edible). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 0714 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
More trade data for South Africa
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