Yogurt and fermented milk exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
South Africa exported $40.8 million of yogurt and fermented milk in 2024 (31.0 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. That is 4% more than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2017, at $51.3 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 | $40.8M | 31.0K t |
| 2023 | $39.1M | 32.1K t |
| 2022 | $39.0M | 33.3K t |
| 2021 | $43.1M | 65.1K t |
| 2020 | $37.2M | 36.0K t |
| 2019 | $41.4M | 35.2K t |
| 2018 | $42.7M | 33.5K t |
| 2017 | $51.3M | 34.6K t |
Where South Africa exports yogurt and fermented milk to
The largest buyer markets were Botswana (32%), Mozambique (19%), Namibia (13%). Among the main buyer markets, DR Congo grew fastest (+79% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Botswana | $13.1M | 32% |
| Mozambique | $7.6M | 19% |
| Namibia | $5.4M | 13% |
| Eswatini | $4.7M | 12% |
| Lesotho | $3.1M | 7.6% |
| Zambia | $1.8M | 4.5% |
| DR Congo | $1.8M | 4.4% |
| Angola | $1.2M | 2.8% |
| Malawi | $1.0M | 2.5% |
| Mauritius | $178K | 0.4% |
Product types under HS 0403
| 0403.10 | Dairy produce: yoghurt, whether or not concentrated or containing added sugar or other sweetening matter or flavoured or containing added fruit or… | 60% |
| 0403.90 | Dairy produce: buttermilk, curdled milk or cream, kephir, fermented or acidified milk or cream, whether or not concentrated or containing added… | 40% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 0403.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.32 per kg, 29% below the world average of $1.86, 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.
Yogurt and fermented milk imports to South Africa
In 2024, South Africa imported yogurt and fermented milk worth $11.5 million (4.8 thousand tonnes). France alone supplied 52% of it. Among the main suppliers, Sweden grew fastest (+486% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| France | $6.0M | 52% |
| Netherlands | $2.6M | 22% |
| Germany | $903K | 7.8% |
| Sweden | $683K | 5.9% |
| United Kingdom | $395K | 3.4% |
| Lithuania | $255K | 2.2% |
| Zambia | $225K | 2% |
| Denmark | $129K | 1.1% |
| Spain | $118K | 1% |
| Poland | $101K | 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 0403: Yogurt; buttermilk, curdled milk and cream, kephir and other fermented or acidified milk and cream, whether or not concentrated or containing added sugar or other sweetening matter or flavoured or containing added fruit, nuts or cocoa..
Common questions
What is the value of yogurt and fermented milk exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported yogurt and fermented milk worth $40.8 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 31.0 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 24th of 140 countries worldwide, with 1% of world exports. The value was up 4% on 2023.
Which countries buy yogurt and fermented milk from South Africa?
Botswana was the largest buyer with 32% of the value ($13.1 million), followed by Mozambique (19%) and Namibia (13%). The top three together account for 64%, out of 44 buyer countries in total. The DR Congo grew fastest among the top ten, up 79% on the year.
What is the average export price of yogurt and fermented milk per kg?
The average declared export value was about $1.32 per kg in 2024, 29% below the world average of $1.86 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 yogurt and fermented milk from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $51.3 million in 2017 to $40.8 million in 2024, a fall of 20%. The peak was 2017 at $51.3 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import yogurt and fermented milk?
Yes. South Africa imported $11.5 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from France, the Netherlands and Germany. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $29.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for yogurt and fermented milk?
The HS code for yogurt and fermented milk is heading 0403. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 0403.10 (60% of the value) and 0403.90 (40%). 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 0403 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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