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South Africa
(information)
Population as of 2020: 59.7 million 24 of 193
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Region: Africa
Nominal G.D.P. in 2024: $400.26 billion 39 of 193
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Top Exports
South Africa exported about **$105–110+ billion in goods in 2024**, with a structure strongly dominated by **minerals, metals, and energy**, alongside **vehicles and agriculture**. | Rank | Export Category | Notes | | ---- | ------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------- | | 1 | **Precious metals & stones** | Largest category; platinum, gold, diamonds. | | 2 | **Ores, slag & ash** | Iron ore, manganese, chromium. | | 3 | **Vehicles (cars & parts)** | Major automotive exporter. | | 4 | **Mineral fuels (coal & petroleum)** | Coal is a key export. | | 5 | **Iron & steel** | Core industrial exports. | | 6 | **Machinery (industrial equipment)** | Growing manufacturing exports. | | 7 | **Electrical machinery & equipment** | Industrial and consumer electronics. | | 8 | **Aluminum & aluminum products** | Important metal export. | | 9 | **Fruits & agricultural products** | Citrus, grapes, etc. | | 10 | **Beverages (wine, spirits)** | Globally competitive wine exports. | Key individual export products (by value) | Rank | Product | Notes | | ---- | --------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------- | | 11 | **Platinum** | #1 global exporter; largest single export | | 12 | **Gold** | Major mining export | | 13 | **Diamonds** | High-value export | | 14 | **Coal** | One of the world’s major exporters | | 15 | **Iron ore** | Key raw material export | | 16 | **Passenger vehicles** | Strong auto industry exports | | 17 | **Motor vehicle parts** | Integrated global supply chains | | 18 | **Citrus fruits (oranges, etc.)** | Leading agricultural export | | 19 | **Wine** | Globally recognized export | | 20 | **Manganese & chromium ores** | Critical industrial minerals | Key Takeaways * ⛏️ **Mining dominates:** * South Africa is a global leader in **platinum, gold, and mineral exports** * 🛢️ **Strong commodity base:** * Coal and metals remain central to export earnings * 🚗 **Automotive hub:** * Vehicles are one of the **largest manufactured exports** * 🍊 **Agricultural strength:** * Major exporter of **citrus, wine, and fruits** Top Importers of South Africa’s Exports (2024) | Rank | Country | Notes | | ---- | ------------------ | --------------------------------------------------- | | 1 | **China** | Largest partner; iron ore, manganese, and minerals. | | 2 | **United States** | Vehicles, precious metals, and agricultural goods. | | 3 | **Germany** | Vehicles, machinery, and industrial goods. | | 4 | **Japan** | Platinum, vehicles, and minerals. | | 5 | **India** | Coal, gold, and minerals. | | 6 | **United Kingdom** | Platinum, vehicles, and agricultural products. | | 7 | **Netherlands** | Trade hub; minerals and agricultural goods. | | 8 | **Mozambique** | Regional trade; energy and industrial goods. | | 9 | **Botswana** | Regional trade and diamond-related flows. | | 10 | **Belgium** | Diamonds and precious metals (Antwerp hub). | Key Patterns * 🇨🇳 **China is #1**: * Major buyer of **minerals and raw materials** * ⛏️ **Commodity-driven trade**: * Many partners import **metals, ores, and energy products** * 🇪🇺 **Europe remains key**: * Countries like **Germany, UK, Netherlands, Belgium** are major markets * 🌍 **Regional trade matters**: * Neighboring countries (**Mozambique, Botswana**) are important partners
