Food processing machinery imports in Zambia: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of food processing machinery by Zambia reached $38.4 million in 2024 (2.3 thousand tonnes). Value fell 27% from 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2023, at $52.8 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 | $38.4M | 2.3K t |
| 2023 | $52.8M | 2.8K t |
| 2022 | $25.2M | 1.7K t |
| 2021 | $36.9M | 2.2K t |
| 2020 | $17.4M | 651 t |
| 2019 | $37.5M | 1.7K t |
| 2018 | $31.7M | 3.5K t |
| 2017 | $31.3M | 1.1K t |
Where Zambia imports food processing machinery from
The largest suppliers were United Arab Emirates (29%), South Africa (21%), Italy (13%). Among the main suppliers, India grew fastest (+124% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United Arab Emirates | $11.1M | 29% |
| South Africa | $8.0M | 21% |
| Italy | $4.8M | 13% |
| India | $4.3M | 11% |
| China | $3.8M | 9.8% |
| Namibia | $2.7M | 6.9% |
| Germany | $894K | 2.3% |
| Pakistan | $464K | 1.2% |
| France | $435K | 1.1% |
| Cyprus | $273K | 0.7% |
Product types under HS 8438
| 8438.80 | Food and beverage processing machinery (other) | 34% |
| 8438.90 | Food processing machinery parts | 27% |
| 8438.10 | Bakery and pasta manufacturing machinery | 26% |
| 8438.50 | Meat and poultry processing machinery | 7.4% |
| 8438.20 | Confectionery and chocolate machinery | 3.4% |
| 8438.30 | Sugar manufacturing machinery | 1.6% |
| 8438.60 | Fruit and vegetable processing machinery | 1.1% |
| 8438.40 | Brewery equipment and machinery | 0.1% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8438.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $16.33 per kg, 39% below the world average of $26.89, 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 processing machinery exports from Zambia
Exports of food processing machinery by Zambia reached $1.2 million in 2024 (339 tonnes). Zimbabwe alone took 64% of it. Among the main buyer markets, Malawi grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zimbabwe | $765K | 64% |
| South Africa | $181K | 15% |
| India | $97K | 8.1% |
| Malawi | $92K | 7.7% |
| Mozambique | $33K | 2.7% |
| DR Congo | $12K | 1% |
| France | $8K | 0.6% |
| Italy | $6K | 0.5% |
| Tanzania | $3K | 0.2% |
| Cyprus | $2K | 0.2% |
Who is behind these numbers in Zambia?
The shipment records behind Zambia food processing machinery imports (HS 8438): 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 8438: Machinery n.e.c. in this chapter, for the industrial preparation or manufacture of food or drink; other than machinery for extraction or preparation of animal or fixed vegetable or microbial fats or oils.
Common questions
What is the value of food processing machinery imported by Zambia?
Zambia imported food processing machinery worth $38.4 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 2.3 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 71st of 220 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 27% on 2023.
Which countries supply food processing machinery to Zambia?
The United Arab Emirates was the largest supplier with 29% of the value ($11.1 million), followed by South Africa (21%) and Italy (13%). The top three together account for 62%, out of 44 supplier countries in total. France grew fastest among the top ten, up 836% on the year.
What is the average import price of food processing machinery per kg?
The average declared import value was about $16.33 per kg in 2024, 39% below the world average of $26.89 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of food processing machinery to Zambia changed since 2017?
Imports went from $31.3 million in 2017 to $38.4 million in 2024, an increase of 22%. The peak was 2023 at $52.8 million. Over 8 years the average was $33.9 million a year.
Does Zambia also export food processing machinery?
Yes. Zambia exported $1.2 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Zimbabwe, South Africa and India. On balance Zambia is a net importer of this product, by about $37.2 million a year.
What is the HS code for food processing machinery?
The HS code for food processing machinery is heading 8438. In Zambia the largest six-digit codes were 8438.80 (34% of the value) and 8438.90 (27%).
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
EximDataX rebuilds Zambia trade from the customs records of its trading partners, so the companies shipping to and from it are visible. Ask for a live look at your product.
Same product, other countries
World food processing machinery trade: top importers and exporters
Food processing machinery product types in Zambia
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