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In 2024, South Africa exported over US$116 billion in goods, but the real insight comes from how those exports shifted. Agriculture reached a record high of US$13.7 billion, while vehicle exports to the U.S. dropped sharply after new tariffs, and minerals faced weaker global demand.
Because of these changes, South Africa’s main export in 2024 reflected a mixed picture: growth in some areas, pressure in others. This matters not only for South Africa but also for global exporters looking to understand where trade opportunities and risks are emerging.
Overview of South Africa's main export in FY 24/25
South African Revenue Service shows exports reached R 2.04 trillion (~US$116.3 billion), while imports fell to R 1.84 trillion (~US$105.1 billion). This resulted in a trade surplus of R 196.1 billion (~US$11.2 billion), a marked improvement from the US$7.4 billion surplus in 2023.
The surplus grew not because exports surged, they declined slightly by US$1.9 billion, but because imports contracted more sharply, falling by US$5.6 billion. This trend highlights a stronger external balance achieved through lower import demand rather than expanded export volumes.
Within this broader picture, agriculture stood out as a star performer.
According to WTO, UNCTAD, and ITC data, agricultural exports set a new record in 2024, rising to US$13.7 billion, up 3.6% from 2023. The gains were driven by fruit harvests, wine production, and livestock recovery, reflecting resilience even in the face of drought pressures on grains.
Outside of agriculture, South Africa’s export profile remained anchored in its traditional pillars, with highlights being minerals & metals and automobiles.
The destination of these exports reveals the country’s global and regional reach.
According to TradeInt data, South Africa’s export destinations from June 2024 to 2025 highlight Asia and Western markets as key partners, with China alone accounting for over US$439 billion. India, Germany, and the United States also remain crucial, while emerging trade flows toward the Middle East, Africa, and Europe demonstrate the country’s diversified market strategy.
South Africa’s main export destinations point to where demand is the strongest. TradeInt turns those figures into clarity on who’s buying, what they’re sourcing, and where opportunities are opening up. For global exporters, this means you can go beyond surface trade values to monitor buyer activity, track shipments, and understand purchasing trends across 80+ countries. With TradeInt, raw data turns into actionable intelligence that helps you target the right buyers, uncover new markets, and stay ahead of competitors.
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| South Africa’s Top Export Destinations (June 2024 – 2025) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Rank | Country | Export Value (US$ Billion) |
| 1 | China | 439.7 |
| 2 | India | 150.89 |
| 3 | Germany | 134.24 |
| 4 | United States | 134.04 |
| 5 | Thailand | 67.54 |
| 6 | Oman | 57.37 |
| 7 | Saudi Arabia | 56.77 |
| 8 | United Arab Emirates | 🔒 Unlock Data |
| 9 | Japan | 🔒 Unlock Data |
| 10 | Italy | 🔒 Unlock Data |
| Data Source: TradeInt | ||
- Strong fruit harvests and livestock recovery offset weather challenges.
- High global demand and prices for citrus, grapes, and platinum lifted export earnings.
- Expanded trade into Asia, Europe, and the Middle East reduced reliance on single partners.
- Geopolitical uncertainties, particularly around AGOA, pushed South Africa to reinforce trade resilience.
What does South Africa mainly export?
In 2024–2025, South Africa main exports were dominated by mineral fuels, machinery, electrical equipment, vehicles, and plastics, according to TradeInt data. These categories highlight the country’s strong position in both natural resources and industrial goods.
- Mineral Fuels (HS 27): US$365.99B – The largest export category, led by coal and petroleum products.
- Machinery (HS 84): US$257.46B – Boilers, reactors, and mechanical appliances.
- Electrical Equipment (HS 85): US$195.85B – Motors, electronics, and televisions.
- Vehicles (HS 87): US$152.67B – Automotive exports remain a key driver.
- Plastics (HS 39): US$55.89B – Manufactured plastic products.
| Top South Africa Export Products (2024–2025) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | HS Code | Product Description | Export Value (US$) |
| 1 | 27 | Mineral fuels, mineral oils, distillation products, bituminous substances, mineral wax | 365,986,588,094 |
| 2 | 84 | Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery, mechanical appliances and parts | 257,455,011,329 |
| 3 | 85 | Electrical equipment, recorders, televisions, sound equipment and parts | 195,845,980,804 |
| 4 | 98 | Special trading goods and unclassified goods | 155,428,532,983 |
| 5 | 87 | Vehicles and their parts and accessories (except railway and tramway vehicles) | 152,674,927,222 |
| 6 | 39 | Plastics and related products | 🔒 Unlock Data |
| 7 | 90 | Optical, photographic, medical and precision instruments and parts | 🔒 Unlock Data |
| 8 | 30 | Pharmaceutical products (drugs) | 🔒 Unlock Data |
| Data Source: TradeInt | |||
#Top 1 Export: Mineral Products
Mineral products, mainly fuels, oils, and wax, remain South Africa’s main export and the backbone of its trade performance. These resources consistently account for the largest share of earnings, making them one of South Africa’s main export commodities.
According to preliminary Mineral Economics and Statistics, production declined quarter-on-quarter in 2024, largely due to weaker gold, coal, and ferrous metals, while year-on-year output also dropped, reflecting declines in PGMs, diamonds, and non-ferrous metals. Still, coal and manganese provided some support, offsetting deeper losses.
What are South Africa's top minerals exports in 2024?
- Coal & Fuels – $5.75B (↑ 2.5%): Top Foreign exchange earner, supports mining jobs.
- Platinum group metals (PDGMs) – $1.24B (↑ 7.6%): Drives revenue, funds infrastructure, powers auto supply chains.
- Gold – $8.15B (↓ 7.7%): Critical for GDP, jobs, and balance of payments.
- Silver – $0.08B (↓ 18.8%): By product export, adds mining revenue, making South Africa a leading African producer.
- Diamonds – $0.67B (↑ 1.2%): Strategic income source, funds public services, attracts investment.
- Manganese ore – $1.20B (↑ 8.7%): World’s largest exporter, essential for steelmaking and foreign earnings.
| South Africa Mining Output Changes and Export Trend (2024) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Commodity | Change (%) | Export Value (USD Billion) | Economic Importance |
| Coal & Fuels | 2.5% | 5.75 | Coal exports are a top foreign exchange earner and support thousands of South African mining jobs |
| Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) | 7.6% | 1.24 | South Africa’s PGMs exports drive export revenue, fund infrastructure, and sustain global automotive supply chains |
| Gold | -7.7% | 8.15 | Gold exports contribute significantly to South Africa’s GDP and employment, supporting balance of payments stability |
| Silver | -18.8% | 0.08 | Silver is mostly a byproduct, but its export adds to mining revenues; South Africa ranks among Africa’s top producers |
| Diamonds | 1.2% | 0.67 | Diamond exports are a strategic income source, financing public services and attracting foreign investment |
| Manganese Ore | 8.7% | 1.20 | South Africa is the world’s largest manganese exporter, vital for steelmaking and substantial in foreign earnings |
| Data source: TradeInt and Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) of the Republic of South Africa | |||
#Top 2 Export: Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery, mechanical appliances and parts
Beyond minerals and fuels, machinery ranks among South Africa’s main export commodities, highlighting the country’s ability to supply advanced equipment and technology alongside raw resources. Within this category, nuclear reactors, boilers, and mechanical appliances are particularly noteworthy because they represent South Africa’s technical expertise and long-term industrial ambitions.
Dr. Kelvin Kemm, chairman of Stratek Global, has emphasized South Africa’s potential to become a nuclear reactor exporting country. The development of the HTMR-100 small modular reactor (SMR) is a prime example.
Designed to be cooled by helium gas instead of water, this reactor offers flexibility and affordability, especially for remote or resource-dependent regions across Africa. Interest has already been expressed by multiple African nations, while international funders are in advanced talks to support South Africa’s nuclear ambitions.
Key trends shaping this export sector:
- South Africa has a pool of highly skilled nuclear professionals, many of whom are already contributing to projects in the UAE and the U.S.
- The country’s strict non-proliferation commitments, backed by the Nuclear Energy Corporation of South Africa (NECSA) and the National Nuclear Regulator, ensure compliance with global standards.
- Strong international demand for clean, reliable power solutions positions South Africa to play a leading role in Africa’s nuclear future.
Overall, while mineral fuels remain South Africa’s main exports, the growing interest in nuclear reactors and machinery shows how the country can diversify its export base. If supported by infrastructure, governance, and international partnerships, machinery, particularly nuclear technology, could become one of South Africa’s main export commodities in the decades ahead.
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#Top 3 Export: Electrical equipment, recorders, televisions, sound equipment
Electrical equipment, including recorders, televisions, and sound systems, has become an important part of South Africa’s main exports, reflecting the country’s role as a growing technology and innovation hub in Africa. While not as dominant as mineral fuels, this sector highlights South Africa’s ability to diversify its export profile beyond raw resources.
The country has one of the largest information and communications technology (ICT) markets on the continent.
South Africa’s IT and electronics industry spans hardware manufacturing, software development, telecommunications, cybersecurity, and digital services. Multinational corporations such as Microsoft, Google, IBM, Intel, SAP, and Amazon Web Services operate regional headquarters in South Africa, reinforcing its reputation as a supply base for neighboring countries.
According to the World Bank, high-technology exports accounted for 5.7% of South Africa’s manufactured exports in 2024, a signal that the electronics and ICT sector is steadily contributing to overall trade performance. This is supported by vibrant start-up ecosystems in Cape Town and Johannesburg, particularly in fintech and digital services, which add further momentum to the export of electronic goods and related technologies.
#Top 4 Export: Special trading goods and unclassified goods
Agriculture continues to be one of South Africa’s main export commodities, reaching a record US$13.7 billion in 2024, up 3% from the previous year. This growth reflects strong harvests of grapes, citrus, apples, avocados, and pears, supported by improved seed genetics and better product quality across key farming sectors.
The same report indicated that the top product in 2024 was:
| South Africa Top Agricultural Export Performance (2024) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Rank | Product | YoY Growth |
| 1 | Fresh grapes | 36.8% |
| 2 | Maize | -25.7% |
| 3 | Apples | 18.1% |
| 4 | Pears | 22.7% |
| 5 | Avocados | 40.9% |
| 6 | Dried grapes | 55.0% |
| 7 | Lemons | -8.0% |
| 8 | Wool | -11.1% |
| 9 | Sugar | -24.1% |
| Data Source: Trade Map and Agbiz Research | ||
Meanwhile, the top export markets for South African agriculture are:
| South Africa Agricultural Exports by Region (2024) | |
|---|---|
| Region | Market Share |
| Africa | 44% |
| Asia & Middle East | 21% |
| European Union (EU) | 19% |
| Americas | 6% |
| Rest of World (incl. UK) | 10% |
| Data Source: Trade Map and Agbiz Research | |
On 8 August 2025, a 30% tariff on South African exports to the U.S. came into effect. Officials warn this could lead to tens of thousands of job losses, particularly in agriculture and automobile manufacturing. For farm products like citrus, grapes, and wine, already competitive under AGOA, such tariffs erode price advantages, giving rival exporters better access to U.S. consumers.
The backdrop to this is the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which has historically allowed South Africa to export many goods to the U.S. duty-free. Since joining AGOA, the share of agricultural exports to the U.S. has remained steady at around 4% of the total, dominated by citrus, grapes, wine, and fruit juices.
Without AGOA preferences, South Africa now faces tariffs of about 30%, compared to the previous Most Favored Nation (MFN) duty of 3%. This sharp increase not only threatens market share but also weakens the government’s campaign to lobby for AGOA renewal, highlighting the urgent need for diplomatic engagement to secure continued access to the U.S. market for South Africa’s main export commodities.
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#Top 5 Export: Vehicles, their parts, and accessories
Vehicles and their parts remain one of South Africa’s main exports, but the sector is under growing pressure from global headwinds, supply chain disruptions, and policy shocks.
According to Naamsa, the total value of vehicle exports still grew by R 1.5 billion (~US$85.5 million), rising from R 203.9 billion (~US$11.63 billion) in 2023 to a record R 205.4 billion (~US$11.72 billion) in 2024. This increase was largely driven by a change in the mix of vehicles exported.
In contrast, automotive component exports declined by R 3.5 billion (~US$199.5 million), falling from R 66.9 billion (~US$3.81 billion) in 2023 to R 63.4 billion (~US$3.61 billion) in 2024. Similarly, cars fell by 25.4%, light commercial vehicles by 18%, and trucks and buses by 19.1%, marking the first significant decline since the recovery from the COVID-19 downturn.
| South Africa Vehicle Exports (2020–2024) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Cars | Light Commercials | Trucks & Buses | Total Exports |
| 2020 | 178,788 | 91,942 | 557 | 271,287 |
| 2021 | 173,773 | 123,667 | 579 | 298,019 |
| 2022 | 238,631 | 112,312 | 841 | 351,784 |
| 2023 | 258,266 | 140,529 | 799 | 399,594 |
| 2024 | 192,542 | 115,192 | 646 | 308,380 |
| Data Source: Naamsa | ||||
The downturn was driven by weaker demand in the European Union, South Africa’s largest automotive export destination, where economic stagnation, stricter emission standards, and growing competition from cheaper Chinese electric vehicles cut into demand. Domestically, the timing of new model introductions by key OEMs also weighed on volumes.
The outlook worsened in 2025 with a major policy shock from the United States.
The Daily Investor paper reported that for more than two decades, South Africa benefited from AGOA (African Growth and Opportunity Act), which allowed duty-free exports of vehicles and parts to the U.S. But in August 2025, a 30% blanket tariff on vehicles and parts was imposed under Section 232.
Exports to the U.S, South Africa’s second-largest automotive market, collapsed, resulting in more than 50% year-to-date, with monthly drops of 80% in April and May. Export earnings fell from R 17.7 billion (~US$1.01 billion) in 2024 to just R 8 billion (~US$0.46 billion) in 2025, threatening tens of thousands of jobs in both vehicle assembly and parts manufacturing.
Looking forward, Africa’s automotive sector presents opportunities. The market is projected to grow to US$33.14 billion by 2033, with South Africa already holding a 28.4% share. Under the AfCFTA framework, vehicles have been identified as a priority sector for boosting intra-African trade. At the same time, the global shift toward electric vehicles (EVs) creates both disruption and potential.
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Conclusion
South Africa’s main export captures the ups & downs.
Agriculture is reaching record highs, minerals remain a cornerstone of trade, yet vehicles and parts face steep challenges from tariffs and shifting global demand.
Yet, South Africa’s exports evidently support how exporters need to pay attention to the value of where demand is shifting and how those movements affect trade, instead of overall performance. And in case you are struggling with that, TradeInt’s is here to help.
Our AI-powered global trade system allows businesses to get live access to buyers and suppliers’ trade activity, track demand shifts, and offer the trade intelligence needed to stay ahead in a changing market. That’s why we are trusted by 5000+ professional exporters & importers globally.
