Primary commodities exports (constant US$) in South Africa
South Africa: Primary commodities exports (constant US$) was 21.10 billion constant US$ in 2004. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2004)
21.10 billion constant US$
Change on year
down 34.9%
World rank
1st
of 35 countries
All-time high
32.43 billion constant US$
in 2003
All-time low
7.43 billion constant US$
in 1994
Years of data
40
1965–2004
Primary commodities exports in South Africa, 1965–2004
Source: World Bank country economists. Measured in constant US$.
Analysis
In 2004, primary commodities exports in South Africa stood at 21.10 billion constant US$.
That represents a change of down 34.9% on the previous year and up 184.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, primary commodities exports in South Africa peaked at 32.43 billion constant US$ in 2003 and was at its lowest, 7.43 billion constant US$, in 1994.
That places South Africa 1st out of 35 countries with data for 2004, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Primary commodities exports (constant US$) in South Africa, year by year
| Year | constant US$ | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1965 | 9.88 billion constant US$ | — |
| 1966 | 9.79 billion constant US$ | -0.9% |
| 1967 | 8.42 billion constant US$ | -13.9% |
| 1968 | 8.35 billion constant US$ | -0.9% |
| 1969 | 7.76 billion constant US$ | -7.1% |
| 1970 | 7.69 billion constant US$ | -0.9% |
| 1971 | 7.60 billion constant US$ | -1.1% |
| 1972 | 7.84 billion constant US$ | +3.1% |
| 1973 | 8.54 billion constant US$ | +9.0% |
| 1974 | 8.53 billion constant US$ | -0.1% |
| 1975 | 8.23 billion constant US$ | -3.6% |
| 1976 | 8.27 billion constant US$ | +0.5% |
| 1977 | 8.32 billion constant US$ | +0.6% |
| 1978 | 8.45 billion constant US$ | +1.6% |
| 1979 | 8.90 billion constant US$ | +5.3% |
| 1980 | 9.03 billion constant US$ | +1.5% |
| 1981 | 8.66 billion constant US$ | -4.1% |
| 1982 | 8.42 billion constant US$ | -2.7% |
| 1983 | 8.56 billion constant US$ | +1.7% |
| 1984 | 8.82 billion constant US$ | +3.0% |
| 1985 | 8.60 billion constant US$ | -2.5% |
| 1986 | 8.63 billion constant US$ | +0.4% |
| 1987 | 9.18 billion constant US$ | +6.4% |
| 1988 | 10.17 billion constant US$ | +10.7% |
| 1989 | 8.95 billion constant US$ | -11.9% |
| 1990 | 8.57 billion constant US$ | -4.3% |
| 1991 | 9.30 billion constant US$ | +8.5% |
| 1992 | 9.40 billion constant US$ | +1.2% |
| 1993 | 8.00 billion constant US$ | -14.9% |
| 1994 | 7.43 billion constant US$ | -7.1% |
| 1995 | 8.94 billion constant US$ | +20.3% |
| 1996 | 9.04 billion constant US$ | +1.1% |
| 1997 | 9.23 billion constant US$ | +2.2% |
| 1998 | 10.50 billion constant US$ | +13.7% |
| 1999 | 13.77 billion constant US$ | +31.2% |
| 2000 | 16.37 billion constant US$ | +18.8% |
| 2001 | 21.85 billion constant US$ | +33.5% |
| 2002 | 26.86 billion constant US$ | +22.9% |
| 2003 | 32.43 billion constant US$ | +20.8% |
| 2004 | 21.10 billion constant US$ | -34.9% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 21.10 billion constant US$ is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 719.25 million constant US$, 29.3× the median. (33 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 8.84 billion constant US$ | 7.76 billion constant US$ | 9.88 billion constant US$ | 5 |
| 1970s | 8.24 billion constant US$ | 7.60 billion constant US$ | 8.90 billion constant US$ | 10 |
| 1980s | 8.90 billion constant US$ | 8.42 billion constant US$ | 10.17 billion constant US$ | 10 |
| 1990s | 9.42 billion constant US$ | 7.43 billion constant US$ | 13.77 billion constant US$ | 10 |
| 2000s | 23.72 billion constant US$ | 16.37 billion constant US$ | 32.43 billion constant US$ | 5 |
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 primary commodities exports in South Africa?
- Primary commodities exports in South Africa was 21.10 billion constant US$ in 2004, according to World Bank country economists.
- What is the highest primary commodities exports recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 32.43 billion constant US$ in 2003.
- What is the lowest primary commodities exports recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 7.43 billion constant US$ in 1994.
- How does South Africa rank for primary commodities exports?
- South Africa ranks 1st out of 35 countries with data for 2004.
- Is primary commodities exports rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 184.0%. 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 Primary commodities exports (constant US$). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Total Primary Commodities exports in 1987 constant US dollars. Values are in fob basis.