Primary commodities exports (current US$) in South Africa
South Africa: Primary commodities exports (current US$) was 29.55 billion current US$ in 2004. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2004)
29.55 billion current US$
Change on year
down 2.8%
World rank
3rd
of 44 countries
All-time high
30.40 billion current US$
in 2003
All-time low
1.70 billion current US$
in 1965
Years of data
40
1965–2004
Primary commodities exports in South Africa, 1965–2004
Source: World Bank country economists. Measured in current US$.
Analysis
In 2004, primary commodities exports in South Africa stood at 29.55 billion current US$.
The figure is down 2.8% on the previous year and up 83.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, primary commodities exports in South Africa peaked at 30.40 billion current US$ in 2003 and was at its lowest, 1.70 billion current US$, in 1965.
South Africa ranks 3rd of 44 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Primary commodities exports (current US$) in South Africa, year by year
| Year | current US$ | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1965 | 1.70 billion current US$ | — |
| 1966 | 1.88 billion current US$ | +10.2% |
| 1967 | 2.37 billion current US$ | +26.5% |
| 1968 | 3.55 billion current US$ | +49.4% |
| 1969 | 4.97 billion current US$ | +40.2% |
| 1970 | 5.07 billion current US$ | +1.9% |
| 1971 | 4.33 billion current US$ | -14.6% |
| 1972 | 5.19 billion current US$ | +19.9% |
| 1973 | 7.06 billion current US$ | +36.0% |
| 1974 | 10.07 billion current US$ | +42.8% |
| 1975 | 17.18 billion current US$ | +70.6% |
| 1976 | 13.23 billion current US$ | -23.0% |
| 1977 | 11.30 billion current US$ | -14.6% |
| 1978 | 12.38 billion current US$ | +9.5% |
| 1979 | 11.03 billion current US$ | -10.9% |
| 1980 | 9.86 billion current US$ | -10.6% |
| 1981 | 10.71 billion current US$ | +8.6% |
| 1982 | 13.15 billion current US$ | +22.8% |
| 1983 | 12.84 billion current US$ | -2.4% |
| 1984 | 11.77 billion current US$ | -8.3% |
| 1985 | 11.62 billion current US$ | -1.2% |
| 1986 | 11.24 billion current US$ | -3.3% |
| 1987 | 11.27 billion current US$ | +0.2% |
| 1988 | 12.46 billion current US$ | +10.6% |
| 1989 | 11.12 billion current US$ | -10.7% |
| 1990 | 10.68 billion current US$ | -3.9% |
| 1991 | 11.62 billion current US$ | +8.7% |
| 1992 | 10.75 billion current US$ | -7.4% |
| 1993 | 17.28 billion current US$ | +60.7% |
| 1994 | 16.10 billion current US$ | -6.8% |
| 1995 | 19.89 billion current US$ | +23.5% |
| 1996 | 20.54 billion current US$ | +3.3% |
| 1997 | 23.63 billion current US$ | +15.0% |
| 1998 | 16.03 billion current US$ | -32.2% |
| 1999 | 15.81 billion current US$ | -1.4% |
| 2000 | 15.00 billion current US$ | -5.2% |
| 2001 | 15.99 billion current US$ | +6.6% |
| 2002 | 15.77 billion current US$ | -1.3% |
| 2003 | 30.40 billion current US$ | +92.7% |
| 2004 | 29.55 billion current US$ | -2.8% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 29.55 billion current US$ is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 744.77 million current US$, 39.7× the median. (41 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 29.55 billion current US$ is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 2.81 billion current US$, 10.5× the median. (7 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 2.89 billion current US$ | 1.70 billion current US$ | 4.97 billion current US$ | 5 |
| 1970s | 9.68 billion current US$ | 4.33 billion current US$ | 17.18 billion current US$ | 10 |
| 1980s | 11.60 billion current US$ | 9.86 billion current US$ | 13.15 billion current US$ | 10 |
| 1990s | 16.23 billion current US$ | 10.68 billion current US$ | 23.63 billion current US$ | 10 |
| 2000s | 21.34 billion current US$ | 15.00 billion current US$ | 30.40 billion current 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 29.55 billion current 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 30.40 billion current US$ in 2003.
- What is the lowest primary commodities exports recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.70 billion current US$ in 1965.
- How does South Africa rank for primary commodities exports?
- South Africa ranks 3rd out of 44 countries with data for 2004.
- Is primary commodities exports rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 83.5%. 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 (current US$). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Total Primary Commodities exports in current US dollars. Values are in fob basis.