Agricultural raw materials exports in South Africa
South Africa: Agricultural raw materials exports was 2.0% in 2025. ▼ Falling
Agricultural raw materials exports in South Africa, 1974–2025
Source: Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division. Measured in % of merchandise exports.
Analysis
In 2025, agricultural raw materials exports in South Africa stood at 2.0%.
That represents a change of down 2.8% on the previous year and down 11.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, agricultural raw materials exports in South Africa peaked at 8.0% in 1974 and was at its lowest, 1.7%, in 2021.
That places South Africa 57th out of 195 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 45 years of available data.
Agricultural raw materials exports in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % of merchandise exports | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1974 | 8.0% | — |
| 1975 | 6.7% | -16.0% |
| 1976 | 8.0% | +18.9% |
| 1977 | 7.2% | -9.4% |
| 1978 | 6.7% | -7.6% |
| 1979 | 5.5% | -17.6% |
| 1980 | 2.5% | -55.2% |
| 1981 | 2.8% | +15.4% |
| 1982 | 2.9% | +0.6% |
| 1983 | 3.6% | +26.6% |
| 1984 | 4.2% | +15.4% |
| 1992 | 3.8% | -10.2% |
| 1993 | 2.8% | -24.1% |
| 1994 | 3.5% | +23.6% |
| 1995 | 4.4% | +23.8% |
| 1996 | 4.0% | -7.1% |
| 1997 | 4.5% | +10.7% |
| 1998 | 4.5% | +0.3% |
| 1999 | 3.8% | -15.2% |
| 2000 | 3.9% | +3.6% |
| 2001 | 3.3% | -16.7% |
| 2002 | 3.8% | +16.0% |
| 2003 | 3.5% | -8.8% |
| 2004 | 2.9% | -17.8% |
| 2005 | 2.7% | -6.6% |
| 2006 | 2.3% | -13.1% |
| 2007 | 2.1% | -8.5% |
| 2008 | 2.2% | +2.4% |
| 2009 | 2.3% | +3.5% |
| 2010 | 2.1% | -8.4% |
| 2011 | 1.9% | -5.8% |
| 2012 | 1.8% | -8.1% |
| 2013 | 1.9% | +9.2% |
| 2014 | 2.0% | +5.2% |
| 2015 | 2.3% | +12.3% |
| 2016 | 2.5% | +7.1% |
| 2017 | 2.4% | -3.9% |
| 2018 | 2.3% | -2.0% |
| 2019 | 1.9% | -18.9% |
| 2020 | 2.0% | +6.5% |
| 2021 | 1.7% | -15.1% |
| 2022 | 1.9% | +13.5% |
| 2023 | 2.0% | +3.6% |
| 2024 | 2.1% | +4.2% |
| 2025 | 2.0% | -2.8% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 2.0% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 0.7%, 3.0× the median. (55 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 2.0% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 1.7%, 1.2× the median. (46 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 7.0% | 5.5% | 8.0% | 6 |
| 1980s | 3.2% | 2.5% | 4.2% | 5 |
| 1990s | 3.9% | 2.8% | 4.5% | 8 |
| 2000s | 2.9% | 2.1% | 3.9% | 10 |
| 2010s | 2.1% | 1.8% | 2.5% | 10 |
| 2020s | 2.0% | 1.7% | 2.1% | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More agriculture & rural data for South Africa
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), annual 7.11 % change on previous year (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), per 0.0283 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), per 186.56 current US$ per person (2025)
- Rural population, annual growth rate 0.812 % change on previous year (2025)
- Rural population, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Rural population, per capita 0.3618 units per person (2025)
- Share of GDP from agriculture 2.8% (2025)
- Agriculture as a share of GDP vs. GDP per capita 2.8% (2025)
- Agricultural raw materials imports 1.0% (2025)
- Rural population 36.2% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is agricultural raw materials exports in South Africa?
- Agricultural raw materials exports in South Africa was 2.0% in 2025, according to Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division.
- What is the highest agricultural raw materials exports recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 8.0% in 1974.
- What is the lowest agricultural raw materials exports recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.7% in 2021.
- How does South Africa rank for agricultural raw materials exports?
- South Africa ranks 57th out of 195 countries with data for 2025.
- Is agricultural raw materials exports rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 11.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division, published as part of Agricultural raw materials exports (% of merchandise exports). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Agricultural raw materials comprise section 2 of SITC Rev. 3 (crude materials, inedible, except fuels) excluding divisions 22 (oil-seeds and oleaginous fruits), 27 (crude fertilizers and minerals excluding coal, petroleum, and precious stones), and 28 (metalliferous ores and scrap). This indicator is expressed as a percentage of merchandise exports which is comprised of goods whose economic ownership is changed between a resident and a non-resident and that are not included in the following specific categories: goods under merchanting, non-monetary gold, and parts of travel, construction, and government goods and services n.i.e.