Merchandise exports (constant US$) in South Africa
South Africa: Merchandise exports (constant US$) was 81.93 billion constant US$ in 2009. ◆ Volatile
Merchandise exports in South Africa, 1965–2009
Source: World Bank country economists. Measured in constant US$.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 81.93 billion constant US$ for merchandise exports in 2009.
The figure is up 2.0% on the previous year and up 85.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, merchandise exports in South Africa peaked at 100.74 billion constant US$ in 2003 and was at its lowest, 8.04 billion constant US$, in 1979.
South Africa ranks 1st of 48 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Merchandise exports (constant US$) in South Africa, year by year
| Year | constant US$ | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1965 | 17.97 billion constant US$ | — |
| 1966 | 18.52 billion constant US$ | +3.1% |
| 1967 | 19.08 billion constant US$ | +3.0% |
| 1968 | 18.09 billion constant US$ | -5.2% |
| 1969 | 17.21 billion constant US$ | -4.9% |
| 1970 | 17.01 billion constant US$ | -1.2% |
| 1971 | 17.74 billion constant US$ | +4.3% |
| 1972 | 18.55 billion constant US$ | +4.6% |
| 1973 | 19.16 billion constant US$ | +3.3% |
| 1974 | 19.52 billion constant US$ | +1.8% |
| 1975 | 12.62 billion constant US$ | -35.3% |
| 1976 | 10.02 billion constant US$ | -20.6% |
| 1977 | 8.36 billion constant US$ | -16.6% |
| 1978 | 8.59 billion constant US$ | +2.7% |
| 1979 | 8.04 billion constant US$ | -6.4% |
| 1980 | 8.37 billion constant US$ | +4.1% |
| 1981 | 8.94 billion constant US$ | +6.9% |
| 1982 | 12.15 billion constant US$ | +35.9% |
| 1983 | 13.58 billion constant US$ | +11.8% |
| 1984 | 13.22 billion constant US$ | -2.7% |
| 1985 | 13.95 billion constant US$ | +5.5% |
| 1986 | 13.26 billion constant US$ | -5.0% |
| 1987 | 14.93 billion constant US$ | +12.6% |
| 1988 | 17.36 billion constant US$ | +16.2% |
| 1989 | 18.19 billion constant US$ | +4.8% |
| 1990 | 23.16 billion constant US$ | +27.3% |
| 1991 | 25.64 billion constant US$ | +10.7% |
| 1992 | 27.78 billion constant US$ | +8.3% |
| 1993 | 35.30 billion constant US$ | +27.0% |
| 1994 | 36.91 billion constant US$ | +4.6% |
| 1995 | 49.66 billion constant US$ | +34.5% |
| 1996 | 51.64 billion constant US$ | +4.0% |
| 1997 | 60.77 billion constant US$ | +17.7% |
| 1998 | 44.20 billion constant US$ | -27.3% |
| 1999 | 44.12 billion constant US$ | -0.2% |
| 2000 | 47.14 billion constant US$ | +6.8% |
| 2001 | 60.86 billion constant US$ | +29.1% |
| 2002 | 52.87 billion constant US$ | -13.1% |
| 2003 | 100.74 billion constant US$ | +90.5% |
| 2004 | 74.21 billion constant US$ | -26.3% |
| 2005 | 75.69 billion constant US$ | +2.0% |
| 2006 | 77.21 billion constant US$ | +2.0% |
| 2007 | 78.75 billion constant US$ | +2.0% |
| 2008 | 80.33 billion constant US$ | +2.0% |
| 2009 | 81.93 billion constant US$ | +2.0% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 81.93 billion constant US$ is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 3.53 billion constant US$, 23.2× the median. (7 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 81.93 billion constant US$ is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 916.43 million constant US$, 89.4× the median. (43 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Merchandise exports (constant US$) in South Africa changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | +90.5% | 52.87 billion constant US$ | 100.74 billion constant US$ |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 18.17 billion constant US$ | 17.21 billion constant US$ | 19.08 billion constant US$ | 5 |
| 1970s | 13.96 billion constant US$ | 8.04 billion constant US$ | 19.52 billion constant US$ | 10 |
| 1980s | 13.40 billion constant US$ | 8.37 billion constant US$ | 18.19 billion constant US$ | 10 |
| 1990s | 39.92 billion constant US$ | 23.16 billion constant US$ | 60.77 billion constant US$ | 10 |
| 2000s | 72.97 billion constant US$ | 47.14 billion constant US$ | 100.74 billion constant US$ | 10 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More trade data for South Africa
- Commodity Net Export Price Index, Individual Commodities Weighted by 109.35 (2025)
- Commodity Net Export Price Index, Individual Commodities Weighted by 100.81 (2025)
- Commodity Export Price Index, Individual Commodites Weighted by Ratio 99.79 (2025)
- Commodity Export Price Index, Individual Commodites Weighted by Ratio 95.89 (2025)
- Commodity Import Price Index, Individual Commodites Weighted by Ratio 98.98 (2025)
- Commodity Import Price Index, Individual Commodites Weighted by Ratio 77.42 (2025)
- 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)
- Exports of low carbon technology products, US dollar (World), gaps 1.75 billion (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is merchandise exports in South Africa?
- Merchandise exports in South Africa was 81.93 billion constant US$ in 2009, according to World Bank country economists.
- What is the highest merchandise exports recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 100.74 billion constant US$ in 2003.
- What is the lowest merchandise exports recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 8.04 billion constant US$ in 1979.
- How does South Africa rank for merchandise exports?
- South Africa ranks 1st out of 48 countries with data for 2009.
- Is merchandise exports rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 85.7%. 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 Merchandise exports (constant US$). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
Merchandise exports (constant 1987 US$) show the f.o.b. value of goods provided to the rest of the world valued in U.S. dollars. They are classified using the Standard International Trade Classification (SITC). Data are in constant U.S. dollars.