There has been significant growth in trade volumes between South Africa and the Far East over the past decade. South Africa’s exports consist mainly of commodities, including mineral ores and metals, and agricultural goods (mainly maize and fruit), according to Sars statistics. China is the biggest market, with leading 2024 exports from SA being ores, slag and ash ($8.23 billion), iron and steel ($1.39bn), copper ($849.93 million), and edible fruits and nuts ($410.42m). The leading 2024 exports to Japan were pearls, precious stones and metals ($2.81bn), ores, slag and ash ($574.13m), and mineral fuels ($397.96m). Japan has more recently become an important market for platinum and iron ore. South Africa is South Korea’s largest trading partner in Africa, with a primary focus on raw and semi-processed materials. The leading exports are iron ore, coal, ferroalloys, platinum and motor vehicles. A relatively new market is Vietnam, which has become a major buyer of maize, particularly yellow maize for animal feed. China exported goods worth $21.77bn to SA in 2024. The main categories were electrical and electronic equipment ($5.7bn), machinery and mechanical equipment ($4.22bn), vehicles and parts ($1.36bn), iron, steel and manufactured goods ($847.11m), textiles and apparel ($875.50m), and plastics and rubber products ($1.08bn). Japan’s exports were worth $2.31bn, including machinery and equipment ($535.99m), vehicles and automotive parts ($506.4m), electronic equipment ($116.51m), rubber products ($113.63m), and optical, photo and technical apparatus ($91.67m). Vietnam is the next- largest, with imports valued at $1.14bn, with the main categories being electrical and electronic equipment, footwear, machinery and textiles. There is a battle for pole position in vehicle exports to SA. In 2024 India held a 57% (173 742 units) share of the imported light vehicle market. China follows with 17% (52 067 units), and has a growing market share, while Japan ranks third, with SA imports dropping from 21 507 units in 2023 to 12 705 in 2024. Japan has dropped to fourth place (after Germany). ER
