Food imports (current US$) in South Africa
South Africa: Food imports (current US$) was 3.02 billion current US$ in 2004. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2004)
3.02 billion current US$
Change on year
up 8.6%
World rank
5th
of 47 countries
All-time high
3.02 billion current US$
in 2004
All-time low
123.45 million current US$
in 1967
Years of data
40
1965–2004
Food imports in South Africa, 1965–2004
Source: World Bank country economists. Measured in current US$.
Analysis
The most recent figure for food imports in South Africa is 3.02 billion current US$, measured in 2004. That is the highest value across all 40 years on record.
That represents a change of up 8.6% on the previous year and up 127.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, food imports in South Africa peaked at 3.02 billion current US$ in 2004 and was at its lowest, 123.45 million current US$, in 1967.
South Africa ranks 5th of 47 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Food imports (current US$) in South Africa, year by year
| Year | current US$ | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1965 | 143.48 million current US$ | — |
| 1966 | 156.98 million current US$ | +9.4% |
| 1967 | 123.45 million current US$ | -21.4% |
| 1968 | 204.38 million current US$ | +65.6% |
| 1969 | 272.94 million current US$ | +33.5% |
| 1970 | 290.34 million current US$ | +6.4% |
| 1971 | 252.29 million current US$ | -13.1% |
| 1972 | 279.85 million current US$ | +10.9% |
| 1973 | 271.84 million current US$ | -2.9% |
| 1974 | 322.06 million current US$ | +18.5% |
| 1975 | 424.08 million current US$ | +31.7% |
| 1976 | 707.93 million current US$ | +66.9% |
| 1977 | 686.13 million current US$ | -3.1% |
| 1978 | 662.84 million current US$ | -3.4% |
| 1979 | 724.34 million current US$ | +9.3% |
| 1980 | 488.79 million current US$ | -32.5% |
| 1981 | 476.27 million current US$ | -2.6% |
| 1982 | 601.67 million current US$ | +26.3% |
| 1983 | 577.49 million current US$ | -4.0% |
| 1984 | 626.95 million current US$ | +8.6% |
| 1985 | 599.90 million current US$ | -4.3% |
| 1986 | 608.71 million current US$ | +1.5% |
| 1987 | 908.30 million current US$ | +49.2% |
| 1988 | 774.44 million current US$ | -14.7% |
| 1989 | 1.03 billion current US$ | +32.9% |
| 1990 | 1.31 billion current US$ | +27.4% |
| 1991 | 1.29 billion current US$ | -1.7% |
| 1992 | 1.45 billion current US$ | +12.8% |
| 1993 | 1.51 billion current US$ | +3.8% |
| 1994 | 1.33 billion current US$ | -11.9% |
| 1995 | 1.54 billion current US$ | +15.7% |
| 1996 | 1.33 billion current US$ | -13.7% |
| 1997 | 1.98 billion current US$ | +48.9% |
| 1998 | 1.48 billion current US$ | -25.2% |
| 1999 | 1.49 billion current US$ | +0.8% |
| 2000 | 1.29 billion current US$ | -13.4% |
| 2001 | 1.32 billion current US$ | +2.6% |
| 2002 | 1.52 billion current US$ | +15.0% |
| 2003 | 2.78 billion current US$ | +82.7% |
| 2004 | 3.02 billion current US$ | +8.6% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 3.02 billion current US$ is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 736.79 million current US$, 4.1× the median. (6 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 3.02 billion current US$ is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 212.26 million current US$, 14.2× the median. (42 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 180.25 million current US$ | 123.45 million current US$ | 272.94 million current US$ | 5 |
| 1970s | 462.17 million current US$ | 252.29 million current US$ | 724.34 million current US$ | 10 |
| 1980s | 669.15 million current US$ | 476.27 million current US$ | 1.03 billion current US$ | 10 |
| 1990s | 1.47 billion current US$ | 1.29 billion current US$ | 1.98 billion current US$ | 10 |
| 2000s | 1.99 billion current US$ | 1.29 billion current US$ | 3.02 billion current US$ | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More trade data for South Africa
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- Commodity Export Price Index, Individual Commodites Weighted by Ratio 95.89 (2025)
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- Imports of low carbon technology products, Percent of GDP 1.03 (2024)
- Imports of low carbon technology products, US dollar (World), per 64.23 units per person (2024)
- Imports of low carbon technology products, US dollar (World), per 0.0102 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
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Frequently asked questions
- What is food imports in South Africa?
- Food imports in South Africa was 3.02 billion current US$ in 2004, according to World Bank country economists.
- What is the highest food imports recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 3.02 billion current US$ in 2004.
- What is the lowest food imports recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 123.45 million current US$ in 1967.
- How does South Africa rank for food imports?
- South Africa ranks 5th out of 47 countries with data for 2004.
- Is food imports rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 127.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from World Bank country economists, published as part of Food imports (current US$). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Food imports, cif (includes freight and insurance costs) in current US dollars.