Permanent cropland in South Africa
South Africa: Permanent cropland was 413,000 hectares in 2011. ▲ Rising
Permanent cropland in South Africa, 1961–2011
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization, electronic files and web site. Measured in hectares.
Analysis
The most recent figure for permanent cropland in South Africa is 413,000 hectares, measured in 2011.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 4.0% on the previous year and up 3.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, permanent cropland in South Africa peaked at 430,000 hectares in 2010 and was at its lowest, 185,000 hectares, in 1961.
That places South Africa 16th out of 52 countries with data for 2011, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 51 years of available data.
Permanent cropland in South Africa, year by year
| Year | hectares | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1961 | 185,000 hectares | — |
| 1962 | 185,000 hectares | +0.0% |
| 1963 | 195,000 hectares | +5.4% |
| 1964 | 200,000 hectares | +2.6% |
| 1965 | 210,000 hectares | +5.0% |
| 1966 | 215,000 hectares | +2.4% |
| 1967 | 230,000 hectares | +7.0% |
| 1968 | 240,000 hectares | +4.3% |
| 1969 | 250,000 hectares | +4.2% |
| 1970 | 250,000 hectares | +0.0% |
| 1971 | 260,000 hectares | +4.0% |
| 1972 | 265,000 hectares | +1.9% |
| 1973 | 270,000 hectares | +1.9% |
| 1974 | 275,000 hectares | +1.9% |
| 1975 | 275,000 hectares | +0.0% |
| 1976 | 280,000 hectares | +1.8% |
| 1977 | 280,000 hectares | +0.0% |
| 1978 | 300,000 hectares | +7.1% |
| 1979 | 300,000 hectares | +0.0% |
| 1980 | 300,000 hectares | +0.0% |
| 1981 | 300,000 hectares | +0.0% |
| 1982 | 300,000 hectares | +0.0% |
| 1983 | 300,000 hectares | +0.0% |
| 1984 | 300,000 hectares | +0.0% |
| 1985 | 300,000 hectares | +0.0% |
| 1986 | 300,000 hectares | +0.0% |
| 1987 | 300,000 hectares | +0.0% |
| 1988 | 300,000 hectares | +0.0% |
| 1989 | 300,000 hectares | +0.0% |
| 1990 | 300,000 hectares | +0.0% |
| 1991 | 305,000 hectares | +1.7% |
| 1992 | 310,000 hectares | +1.6% |
| 1993 | 310,000 hectares | +0.0% |
| 1994 | 315,000 hectares | +1.6% |
| 1995 | 320,000 hectares | +1.6% |
| 1996 | 340,000 hectares | +6.2% |
| 1997 | 345,000 hectares | +1.5% |
| 1998 | 360,000 hectares | +4.3% |
| 1999 | 370,000 hectares | +2.8% |
| 2000 | 385,000 hectares | +4.1% |
| 2001 | 400,000 hectares | +3.9% |
| 2002 | 400,000 hectares | +0.0% |
| 2003 | 400,000 hectares | +0.0% |
| 2004 | 380,000 hectares | -5.0% |
| 2005 | 380,000 hectares | +0.0% |
| 2006 | 360,000 hectares | -5.3% |
| 2007 | 362,000 hectares | +0.6% |
| 2008 | 380,000 hectares | +5.0% |
| 2009 | 400,000 hectares | +5.3% |
| 2010 | 430,000 hectares | +7.5% |
| 2011 | 413,000 hectares | -4.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 212,222 hectares | 185,000 hectares | 250,000 hectares | 9 |
| 1970s | 275,500 hectares | 250,000 hectares | 300,000 hectares | 10 |
| 1980s | 300,000 hectares | 300,000 hectares | 300,000 hectares | 10 |
| 1990s | 327,500 hectares | 300,000 hectares | 370,000 hectares | 10 |
| 2000s | 384,700 hectares | 360,000 hectares | 400,000 hectares | 10 |
| 2010s | 421,500 hectares | 413,000 hectares | 430,000 hectares | 2 |
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)
- Agriculture share gdp 2.83 (2025)
- Value added in the agricultural sector as of gdp vs gdp per capita 2.83 (2025)
- Agricultural raw materials exports 2.0% (2025)
- Agricultural raw materials imports 1.0% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is permanent cropland in South Africa?
- Permanent cropland in South Africa was 413,000 hectares in 2011, according to Food and Agriculture Organization, electronic files and web site.
- What is the highest permanent cropland recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 430,000 hectares in 2010.
- What is the lowest permanent cropland recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 185,000 hectares in 1961.
- How does South Africa rank for permanent cropland?
- South Africa ranks 16th out of 52 countries with data for 2011.
- Is permanent cropland rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 3.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Food and Agriculture Organization, electronic files and web site, published as part of Permanent cropland (hectares). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Permanent cropland is land cultivated with crops that occupy the land for long periods and need not be replanted after each harvest, such as cocoa, coffee, and rubber. This category includes land under flowering shrubs, fruit trees, nut trees, and vines, but excludes land under trees grown for wood or timber.