Exports in South Africa increased to 175749.91 ZAR Million in May from 165293 ZAR Million in April 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.

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.

Key information about South Africa Total Exports

• South Africa Total Exports recorded 8.0 USD bn in Jan 2025, compared with 8.7 USD bn in the previous month
• South Africa Total Exports data is updated monthly, available from Oct 2004 to Jan 2025, with an averaged value of 7.6 USD bn
• The data reached an all-time high of 12.5 USD bn in Mar 2022 and a record low of 2.8 USD bn in Apr 2020

CEIC converts monthly Total Exports into USD. South African Revenue Service provides Total Exports, FOB, in local currency. Federal Reserve Board average market exchange rate is used for currency conversions. Total Exports prior to January 2010 exclude Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland.


Further information about South Africa Total Exports

• In the latest reports, South Africa Total Exports grew 3.5 % YoY in Jan 2025
• Total Imports recorded 8.8 USD bn in Jan 2025, which registered an increase of 7.6 % year on year
• South Africa Trade Balance recorded a deficit of 877.5 USD mn in Jan 2025

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.

Key information about South Africa Total Exports to China

• South Africa Total Exports to China recorded 934.436 USD mn in Jan 2025, compared with 997.883 USD mn in the previous month
• South Africa Total Exports to China data is updated monthly, available from Jan 1998 to Jan 2025, with an averaged value of 574.478 USD mn
• The data reached an all-time high of 1.698 USD bn in Mar 2018 and a record low of 4.921 USD mn in Aug 1998

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

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 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.

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.

Key information about South Africa Total Exports

• South Africa Total Exports expanded 3.5 % YoY in Jan 2025, compared with a decrease of 2.9 % YoY in the previous month
• South Africa Total Exports Growth data is updated monthly, available from Oct 2005 to Jan 2025, with an averaged rate of 8.9 %
• The data reached an all-time high of 210.3 % in Apr 2021 and a record low of -49.9 % in Apr 2020

CEIC calculates Total Exports Growth from monthly Total Exports. South African Revenue Service provides Total Exports, FOB, in local currency. Total Exports Growth prior to January 2011 exclude Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland.


Further information about South Africa Total Exports

• In the latest reports, South Africa Total Exports recorded 8.0 USD bn in Jan 2025
• Total Imports recorded 8.8 USD bn in Jan 2025, which registered an increase of 7.6 % year on year
• South Africa Trade Balance recorded a deficit of 877.5 USD mn in Jan 2025

Graph and download economic data for International Merchandise Trade Statistics: Exports: Commodities for South Africa (XTEXVA01ZAM664S) from Jan 1957 to Apr 2025 about South Africa, exports, trade, and goods.

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.

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.

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.

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.

South Africa Exports: Panama Canal Zone data was reported at 116,474,293.000 ZAR in Sep 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 117,301,880.000 ZAR for Aug 2018. South Africa Exports: Panama Canal Zone data is updated monthly, averaging 34,203,267.000 ZAR from Jan 2009 (Median) to Sep 2018, with 117 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 260,229,431.000 ZAR in Aug 2013 and a record low of 3,374,776.000 ZAR in Nov 2011. South Africa Exports: Panama Canal Zone data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Department of Trade and Industry. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.JA003: Exports: incl BLNS: DTI: by Country.

South Africa Exports: Chemical Products data was reported at 9,591.500 ZAR mn in Mar 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 9,465.400 ZAR mn for Feb 2025. South Africa Exports: Chemical Products data is updated monthly, averaging 6,078.200 ZAR mn from Jan 2010 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 183 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 12,358.200 ZAR mn in May 2022 and a record low of 2,513.000 ZAR mn in Jan 2010. South Africa Exports: Chemical Products data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by South African Revenue Service. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.JA002: Exports: incl BLNS: SARS: Harmonized System: by Commodity. [COVID-19-IMPACT]

South Africa Exports: MM: Electrical and Electronic Equipment data was reported at 1,936,458,501.000 ZAR in May 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 1,653,705,188.000 ZAR for Apr 2018. South Africa Exports: MM: Electrical and Electronic Equipment data is updated monthly, averaging 1,750,431,403.000 ZAR from Jan 2009 (Median) to May 2018, with 113 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2,791,896,973.000 ZAR in Nov 2015 and a record low of 751,655,320.000 ZAR in Jan 2010. South Africa Exports: MM: Electrical and Electronic Equipment data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Department of Trade and Industry. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.JA006: Exports: incl BLNS: DTI: Harmonized System: by Commodity.