Exports in South Africa decreased to 166173.91 ZAR Million in April from 170488.98 ZAR Million in March of 2025. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - South Africa Exports - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

As of 2023, pearls, precious stones, metals, and coins were the largest export category from South Africa. The export value from those goods amounted to approximately 19.6 billion U.S. dollars. The items accounted for 18 percent of the total South African exports. Mineral fuels, oils, and distillation products followed as the second main category, with an export value of roughly 11.9 billion U.S. dollars.

South Africa's total Exports in 2024 were valued at US$110.11 Billion, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. South Africa's main export partners were: China, the United States and Germany. The top three export commodities were: Pearls, precious stones, metals, coins; Ores slag and ash and Vehicles other than railway, tramway. Total Imports were valued at US$101.24 Billion. In 2024, South Africa had a trade surplus of US$8.87 Billion.

This statistic shows the main export partner countries for South Africa in 2023. In 2023, the main export partner of South Africa was China, with a share of 16 percent in exports.

Key information about South Africa Total Exports to USA

• South Africa Total Exports to USA recorded 521.985 USD mn in Jan 2025, compared with 601.227 USD mn in the previous Dec 2024
• South Africa Total Exports to USA data is updated monthly, available from Jan 1998 to Jan 2025, with an averaged value of 516.767 USD mn
• The data reached an all-time high of 1.463 USD bn in May 2021 and a record low of 99.616 USD mn in Dec 1998

CEIC converts monthly Total Exports to USA into USD. The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition provides Total Exports to USA, FOB, in local currency. Federal Reserve Board average market exchange rate is used for currency conversions. Total Exports to USA prior to January 2009 exclude Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland and prior to January 2007 is sourced from the International Monetary Fund.

As of 2021, South Africa was the main African exporter to China in terms of value. South African exports to the Asian country amounted to around 33 billion U.S. dollars. Moreover, Angola exports to China were valued at some 20.9 billion U.S. dollars, while exports from the Democratic Republic of the Congo reached 11 billion U.S. dollars.

Techsalerator’s Import/Export Trade Data for Africa

Techsalerator’s Import/Export Trade Data for Africa offers a thorough and detailed examination of trade activities across the African continent. This extensive dataset provides valuable insights into import and export transactions involving companies throughout Africa, covering a wide range of countries and regions.

Coverage Across All African Countries

The dataset includes comprehensive trade data for all African countries, divided into key regions:

North Africa:

Egypt Libya Mauritania Morocco Algeria Sudan Tunisia East Africa: 8. Burundi 9. Comoros 10. Djibouti 11. Eritrea 12. Ethiopia 13. Kenya 14. Madagascar 15. Malawi 16. Mauritius 17. Rwanda 18. Seychelles 19. Somalia 20. Tanzania 21. Uganda

West Africa: 22. Benin 23. Burkina Faso 24. Cape Verde 25. Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire) 26. Gambia 27. Ghana 28. Guinea 29. Guinea-Bissau 30. Liberia 31. Mali 32. Niger 33. Nigeria 34. Senegal 35. Sierra Leone 36. Togo

Central Africa: 37. Angola 38. Cameroon 39. Central African Republic 40. Chad 41. Congo, Democratic Republic of the 42. Congo, Republic of the 43. Equatorial Guinea 44. Gabon 45. São Tomé and Príncipe

Southern Africa: 46. Botswana 47. Eswatini (Swaziland) 48. Lesotho 49. Namibia 50. South Africa 51. Zimbabwe

Comprehensive Data Features

Transaction Details: The dataset includes detailed information on each trade transaction, such as product descriptions, quantities, values, and dates. This allows for precise tracking and analysis of trade patterns and flows across Africa.

Company Information: It provides specific details about the trading companies involved, including company names, locations, and industry sectors, facilitating targeted market research and competitive analysis.

Categorization: Transactions are categorized by industry sectors, product types, and trade partners, offering insights into market dynamics and sector-specific trends within different regions of Africa.

Trade Trends: Users can analyze historical data to observe trade trends, identify emerging markets, and assess the impact of economic, political, or environmental events on trade activities across the continent.

Geographical Insights: The data provides insights into regional trade flows and cross-border dynamics within Africa and with global trade partners, including major international trade relationships.

Regulatory and Compliance Data: Information on trade regulations, tariffs, and compliance requirements is included, helping businesses navigate the complex regulatory environments across various African countries.

Applications and Benefits

Market Research: Businesses can leverage the data to uncover new market opportunities, analyze competitive landscapes, and understand demand for specific products across different African countries and regions.

Strategic Planning: Companies can use insights from the data to develop effective trade strategies, optimize supply chains, and manage risks associated with international trade in Africa.

Economic Analysis: Analysts and policymakers can monitor economic performance, evaluate trade balances, and make informed decisions on trade policies and economic development initiatives.

Investment Decisions: Investors can assess trade trends and market potentials to make informed decisions about investments in Africa’s diverse and rapidly evolving economies.

Techsalerator’s Import/Export Trade Data for Africa provides a crucial resource for organizations involved in international trade, offering a detailed, reliable, and expansive view of trade activities across the African continent.

South Africa Exports to United States was US$8.21 Billion during 2024, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. South Africa Exports to United States - data, historical chart and statistics - was last updated on May of 2025.

South Africa exports for 2023 were 124.70 billion US dollars, a 8.17% decline from 2022.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>South Africa exports for 2022 were <strong>135.80 billion US dollars</strong>, a <strong>3.73% increase</strong> from 2021.</li>
<li>South Africa exports for 2021 were <strong>130.91 billion US dollars</strong>, a <strong>40.46% increase</strong> from 2020.</li>
<li>South Africa exports for 2020 were <strong>93.20 billion US dollars</strong>, a <strong>12% decline</strong> from 2019.</li>
</ul>Exports of goods and services represent the value of all goods and other market services provided to the rest of the world. They include the value of merchandise, freight, insurance, transport, travel, royalties, license fees, and other services, such as communication, construction, financial, information, business, personal, and government services. They exclude compensation of employees and investment income (formerly called factor services) and transfer payments. Data are in current U.S. dollars.

Graph and download economic data for International Merchandise Trade Statistics: Exports: Commodities for South Africa (XTEXVA01ZAM657S) from Feb 1957 to Apr 2025 about South Africa, exports, trade, and goods.

In 2020, horticulture was the leading agricultural product that South Africa exported, valued at 5.4 billion U.S. dollars. Cereal exports followed at 1.1 billion U.S. dollars. Furthermore, other agricultural products contributed 931 million U.S. dollars to the total exports.

South Africa's total Imports in 2024 were valued at US$101.24 Billion, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. South Africa's main import partners were: China, India and Germany. The top three import commodities were: Mineral fuels, oils, distillation products; Machinery, nuclear reactors, boilers and Electrical, electronic equipment. Total Exports were valued at US$110.11 Billion. In 2024, South Africa had a trade surplus of US$8.87 Billion.

Russia Exports: Year to Date: South Africa data was reported at 16.000 USD mn in Jan 2022. This records a decrease from the previous number of 342.200 USD mn for Dec 2021. Russia Exports: Year to Date: South Africa data is updated monthly, averaging 40.200 USD mn from Feb 2004 (Median) to Jan 2022, with 216 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 342.200 USD mn in Dec 2021 and a record low of 0.200 USD mn in Jan 2008. Russia Exports: Year to Date: South Africa data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal Customs Service. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Russian Federation – Table RU.JAA006: Exports: by Main Trading Partners: ytd. Data release delayed due to the Ukraine-Russia conflict. No estimation on next release date can be made.

In 2021, South Africa was the leading merchandise exporter in Africa, accounting for around 21 percent of the continent's total merchandise export trade. Nigeria and Libya followed, with a share of approximately 10 percent and seven percent, respectively.

Historical chart and dataset showing South Africa trade to gdp ratio by year from 1960 to 2023.

In 2020, Zimbabwe was South Africa's leading export partner of agricultural products. In 2020, South Africa exported over one million metric tons of agricultural commodities to the African country. Botswana and the Netherlands followed with almost 762 thousand and 705 thousand metric tons. Notably, the total volume of agricultural products exported from South Africa amounted to 10.9 million metric tons as of the same year.

As of 2024, Morocco ranked first on the African continent's car exports, with a value of around *** billion U.S. dollars. South Africa and Senegal followed, with *** billion and **** million U.S. dollars, respectively.

The average for 2022 based on 31 countries was 190.44 million U.S. dollars. The highest value was in South Africa: 2475.53 million U.S. dollars and the lowest value was in Cape Verde: 0.02 million U.S. dollars. The indicator is available from 2007 to 2022. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

Graph and download economic data for International Trade: Ratio: Exports to Imports: Total for South Africa (XTEITT01ZAM156N) from Jan 1960 to Nov 2023 about South Africa, ratio, imports, exports, and trade.

Graph and download economic data for International Trade: Exports: Value (Goods): Total for South Africa (XTEXVA01ZAA188S) from 1960 to 2022 about South Africa, exports, trade, and goods.