Agricultural raw materials imports in South Africa
South Africa: Agricultural raw materials imports was 1.0% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Agricultural raw materials imports in South Africa, 1974–2025
Source: Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division. Measured in % of merchandise imports.
Analysis
The most recent figure for agricultural raw materials imports in South Africa is 1.0%, measured in 2025.
That represents a change of down 2.9% on the previous year and up 7.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, agricultural raw materials imports in South Africa peaked at 4.4% in 1974 and was at its lowest, 0.9%, in 2023.
That places South Africa 97th out of 196 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Agricultural raw materials imports in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % of merchandise imports | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1974 | 4.4% | — |
| 1975 | 3.0% | -32.1% |
| 1976 | 3.8% | +29.1% |
| 1977 | 3.9% | +1.3% |
| 1978 | 3.4% | -11.8% |
| 1979 | 3.9% | +13.3% |
| 1980 | 2.5% | -35.0% |
| 1981 | 2.2% | -13.2% |
| 1982 | 2.1% | -2.6% |
| 1983 | 2.6% | +21.9% |
| 1984 | 2.6% | -0.6% |
| 1985 | 2.1% | -16.8% |
| 1992 | 2.2% | +0.7% |
| 1993 | 2.3% | +5.8% |
| 1994 | 2.2% | -4.5% |
| 1995 | 2.3% | +5.7% |
| 1996 | 2.0% | -12.6% |
| 1997 | 1.7% | -15.0% |
| 1998 | 1.5% | -10.3% |
| 1999 | 1.5% | -2.6% |
| 2000 | 1.5% | -1.2% |
| 2001 | 1.4% | -8.4% |
| 2002 | 1.5% | +8.6% |
| 2003 | 1.4% | -4.8% |
| 2004 | 1.3% | -9.1% |
| 2005 | 1.1% | -14.8% |
| 2006 | 1.0% | -8.9% |
| 2007 | 1.0% | -3.7% |
| 2008 | 0.9% | -6.6% |
| 2009 | 0.9% | +0.1% |
| 2010 | 1.0% | +10.5% |
| 2011 | 1.0% | +5.1% |
| 2012 | 0.9% | -11.6% |
| 2013 | 0.9% | -4.6% |
| 2014 | 0.9% | +0.9% |
| 2015 | 0.9% | +6.0% |
| 2016 | 1.0% | +7.4% |
| 2017 | 1.0% | +0.1% |
| 2018 | 1.0% | +1.2% |
| 2019 | 1.0% | -3.4% |
| 2020 | 1.1% | +8.8% |
| 2021 | 1.1% | -0.2% |
| 2022 | 1.0% | -7.5% |
| 2023 | 0.9% | -12.8% |
| 2024 | 1.0% | +19.7% |
| 2025 | 1.0% | -2.9% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 1.0% is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 1.1%, 93% of the median. (56 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 1.0% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 0.9%, 1.1× the median. (46 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 3.7% | 3.0% | 4.4% | 6 |
| 1980s | 2.4% | 2.1% | 2.6% | 6 |
| 1990s | 2.0% | 1.5% | 2.3% | 8 |
| 2000s | 1.2% | 0.9% | 1.5% | 10 |
| 2010s | 1.0% | 0.9% | 1.0% | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.0% | 0.9% | 1.1% | 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 exports 2.0% (2025)
- Rural population 36.2% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is agricultural raw materials imports in South Africa?
- Agricultural raw materials imports in South Africa was 1.0% in 2025, according to Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division.
- What is the highest agricultural raw materials imports recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 4.4% in 1974.
- What is the lowest agricultural raw materials imports recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.9% in 2023.
- How does South Africa rank for agricultural raw materials imports?
- South Africa ranks 97th out of 196 countries with data for 2025.
- Is agricultural raw materials imports rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 7.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- 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 imports (% of merchandise imports). 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 imports which is comprised of goods whose economic ownership is changed between a non-resident and a 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.