Market research

Soybeans market in South Africa

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

The soybean market volume in South Africa experienced a significant shift between 2018 and 2023. A statutory levy approved in mid-2018 and implemented in March 2019 was designed to compensate seed companies, fostering the development and availability of new, drought-tolerant cultivars and biotechnology. This foundational policy aimed to boost long-term production, though the market volume initially contracted in 2019 before beginning a recovery in 2020.

From 2021 onward, the market entered a period of strong expansion, driven primarily by soaring domestic production. Planted area reached a record 1 148 300 hectares in 2022, yielding a harvest of 2.75 million metric tons. The continued adoption of improved varieties supported by the levy contributed to these gains, increasing the supply available for the local market.

A major catalyst for growth was the signing of export protocols with China in September 2022, granting South African producers access to the world's largest soybean market. This new export opportunity, coupled with rising local processing capacity and sustained demand, provided a powerful incentive for further production increases. By 2023, robust local output had reduced import reliance, pushing the total market volume to 2.1 million metric tons.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2025
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2025
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in South Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to South Africa, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to South Africa, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from South Africa, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from South Africa, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2025
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production soybeans in South Africa

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, South Africa consistently ranked 12th globally in soybean production volume.

Top producers of soybeans, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of soybeans, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Soybean production in South Africa grew for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 1,897 thousand tonnes of soybeans, marking a 52.3% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production rose by 23.2%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 7.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1,170 thousand tonnes, representing the largest decline of 24.0% during this timeframe.

Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(24.0%)	6.4%	52.3%	7.2%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports soybeans from South Africa

Exports in kind, t

Market performance showed significant fluctuations during this period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2020 at 3,171 tonnes and peaked in 2021 at 39,320 tonnes, representing a 12.4-fold difference. The 2021 export volume was 1,140.1% higher than in the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 83.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(83.1%)	(44.1%)	1 140.1%	5.5%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2018 and 2021, South Africa's soybean exports in volume terms were highly concentrated, with Zimbabwe and Turkey together accounting for 80.3% of total flows, while other partners represented the remaining share.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

The market experienced notable fluctuations during this period. Export values bottomed in 2019 at 3,338 thousand US dollars and peaked in 2021 at 26,022 thousand US dollars, showing a 7.8-fold difference. The 2021 value represented a sharp increase of 644.7% compared to 2020. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 77.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(77.4%)	4.7%	644.7%	20.8%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, Zimbabwe (49.2% of export value), Turkey (23.9% of export value), and Mozambique (10.6% of export value) were the primary buyers of South African soybeans in value terms, collectively representing 83.7% of total exports.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Imports soybeans to South Africa

Imports in kind, t

South Africa's soybean imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country imported 67,819 tonnes of soybeans, reflecting an 8.9% gain compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 787%, equating to an annualized rate of 107.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	23.7%	558.3%	8.9%	107.0%

Source: SHEV.io

During 2018–2021, Brazil (37.4% of import volume), the United States (35.8% of import volume), and Zambia (15.0% of import volume) formed the main group of sources for soybean imports to South Africa, with a combined share of 88.2% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

Soybean deliveries to South Africa increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports were recorded at 31,218 thousand US dollars, amounting to a 50.6% increase compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports rose by 910%, equating to an annualized rate of 116.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	33.0%	404.4%	50.6%	116.2%

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2018–2021, the United States, Brazil, and Zambia remained the three largest markets for soybean imports in value terms, together accounting for 85.3% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io