Food preparations imports in Zambia: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of food preparations by Zambia reached $30.3 million in 2024 (10.5 thousand tonnes). That is 4% more than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable.
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 | $30.3M | 10.5K t |
| 2023 | $29.0M | 10.3K t |
| 2022 | $27.1M | 12.5K t |
| 2021 | $23.7M | 11.1K t |
| 2020 | $19.6M | 9.3K t |
| 2019 | $22.3M | 10.2K t |
| 2018 | $22.0M | 10.3K t |
| 2017 | $24.2M | 14.4K t |
Where Zambia imports food preparations from
South Africa alone supplied 60% of it. Among the main suppliers, Zimbabwe grew fastest (+373% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | $18.1M | 60% |
| Zimbabwe | $3.0M | 9.9% |
| Ireland | $2.5M | 8.4% |
| China | $1.4M | 4.8% |
| India | $1.2M | 3.9% |
| Denmark | $642K | 2.1% |
| Malawi | $594K | 2% |
| France | $492K | 1.6% |
| Kenya | $373K | 1.2% |
| Germany | $322K | 1.1% |
Product types under HS 2106
| 2106.90 | Food preparations: n.e.c. in item no. 2106.10 | 81% |
| 2106.10 | Protein concentrate | 19% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 2106.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $2.89 per kg, 53% below the world average of $6.09, 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.
Food preparations exports from Zambia
Exports of food preparations by Zambia reached $2.1 million in 2024 (896 tonnes). DR Congo alone took 74% of it.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| DR Congo | $1.6M | 74% |
| Tanzania | $355K | 17% |
| United Arab Emirates | $68K | 3.2% |
| Zimbabwe | $49K | 2.3% |
| Malawi | $32K | 1.5% |
| South Africa | $26K | 1.2% |
| Uganda | $15K | 0.7% |
| Botswana | $9K | 0.4% |
| Burundi | $6K | 0.3% |
| Namibia | $1K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in Zambia?
The shipment records behind Zambia food preparations imports (HS 2106): 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 2106: Food preparations not elsewhere specified or included.
Common questions
What is the value of food preparations imported by Zambia?
Zambia imported food preparations worth $30.3 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 10.5 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 133rd of 226 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 4% on 2023.
Which countries supply food preparations to Zambia?
South Africa was the largest supplier with 60% of the value ($18.1 million), followed by Zimbabwe (10%) and Ireland (8%). The top three together account for 78%, out of 52 supplier countries in total. Kenya grew fastest among the top ten, up 465% on the year.
What is the average import price of food preparations per kg?
The average declared import value was about $2.89 per kg in 2024, 53% below the world average of $6.09 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of food preparations to Zambia changed since 2017?
Imports went from $24.2 million in 2017 to $30.3 million in 2024, an increase of 25%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Over 8 years the average was $24.8 million a year.
Does Zambia also export food preparations?
Yes. Zambia exported $2.1 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to the DR Congo, Tanzania and the United Arab Emirates. On balance Zambia is a net importer of this product, by about $28.2 million a year.
What is the HS code for food preparations?
The HS code for food preparations is heading 2106. In Zambia the largest six-digit codes were 2106.90 (81% of the value) and 2106.10 (19%).
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
For Zambia, 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
Food preparations product types in Zambia
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