Margarine and shortening production in South Africa
In 2023 South Africa produced 78,312 t of margarine and shortening, the 28th largest in the world (0.59% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 161%. The record was 93,473 t in 2019.
The 2023 figure is imputed by FAO.
- Production, 2023
- 78,312 t
- World rank
- 28 of 94
- 10-year change
- +161%
- Record
- 93,473 t
- 2019
Margarine and shortening in South Africa, 1961–2023 (tonnes)
South Africa compared with the world, 2023
- Share of world total
- 0.59%
- 0.24% in 2013
- 10-year change
- +161%
- world +3.6%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | Hungary | 84,512 | 0.64% |
| 27 | Tunisia | 82,036 | 0.62% |
| 28 | South Africa | 78,312 | 0.59% |
| 29 | Colombia | 62,577 | 0.48% |
| 30 | Romania | 62,000 | 0.47% |
Map of world production of margarine and shortening
Share of the world total; South Africa is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 78,312 | −4.7% |
| 2022 | 82,186 | +5.4% |
| 2021 | 77,983 | +3.0% |
| 2020 | 75,689 | −19% |
| 2019 | 93,473 | +289% |
| 2018 | 24,000 | 0.0% |
| 2017 | 24,000 | −4.0% |
| 2016 | 25,000 | +150% |
| 2015 | 10,000 | −75% |
| 2014 | 40,000 | +33% |
| 2013 | 30,000 | +58% |
| 2012 | 18,987 | +27% |
| 2011 | 15,000 | 0.0% |
| 2010 | 15,000 | +78% |
| 2009 | 8,440 | +1.2% |
| 2008 | 8,342 | −23% |
| 2007 | 10,886 | +66% |
| 2006 | 6,550 | −16% |
| 2005 | 7,839 | +56% |
| 2004 | 5,010 | −62% |
| 2003 | 13,058 | −21% |
| 2002 | 16,592 | +1.6% |
| 2001 | 16,335 | +207% |
| 2000 | 5,316 | −4.7% |
| 1999 | 5,580 | −12% |
| 1998 | 6,332 | −6.7% |
| 1997 | 6,786 | +48% |
| 1996 | 4,593 | −12% |
| 1995 | 5,208 | +33% |
| 1994 | 3,926 | +37% |
| 1993 | 2,874 | −5.2% |
| 1992 | 3,031 | −20% |
| 1991 | 3,777 | −14% |
| 1990 | 4,403 | −23% |
| 1989 | 5,689 | −6.0% |
| 1988 | 6,053 | +33% |
| 1987 | 4,563 | +20% |
| 1986 | 3,817 | −4.4% |
| 1985 | 3,994 | +38% |
| 1984 | 2,890 | +9.0% |
| 1983 | 2,652 | −11% |
| 1982 | 2,971 | −31% |
| 1981 | 4,312 | −13% |
| 1980 | 4,952 | +19% |
| 1979 | 4,176 | +12% |
| 1978 | 3,726 | +43% |
| 1977 | 2,598 | +147% |
| 1976 | 1,051 | −55% |
| 1975 | 2,340 | −45% |
| 1974 | 4,268 | +61% |
| 1973 | 2,656 | +186% |
| 1972 | 929 | +7.6% |
| 1971 | 863 | −13% |
| 1970 | 995 | −44% |
| 1969 | 1,787 | +57% |
| 1968 | 1,136 | +23% |
| 1967 | 921 | −26% |
| 1966 | 1,242 | −38% |
| 1965 | 1,998 | +85% |
| 1964 | 1,082 | −17% |
| 1963 | 1,299 | +86% |
| 1962 | 697 | +41% |
| 1961 | 496 | — |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 20,368 t USD 32.4 m
- Exporter rank
- 16 of 117
- Imports
- 33 t USD 54,000
- Importer rank
- 179 of 189
FAOSTAT detailed trade data, release of 23 July 2026; quantities in tonnes, values in current US dollars; exports include re-exports. World exporters and importers
Questions and answers
What is the production of margarine and shortening in South Africa?
South Africa produced 78,312 t in 2023, 0.59% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does South Africa rank in the world for production of margarine and shortening?
South Africa ranked 28th of 94 countries in 2023. The largest producer was United States with 32.8% of the world total.
How has the production of margarine and shortening in South Africa changed?
It rose by 161% between 2013 and 2023, compared with +3.6% for the world. The record was 93,473 t in 2019.
Does South Africa export or import margarine and shortening?
In 2024 South Africa reported exports of 20,368 t (USD 32.4 m) and imports of 33 t (USD 54,000), according to FAOSTAT trade data.
Where does this data come from?
From FAOSTAT, the statistics database of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; the 2023 figure for South Africa is imputed by FAO. Shares, ranks and per-person figures are calculated by Husfarm.
Other large producers
Source: FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 4 November 2026. fao.org/faostat. Licence: CC BY 4.0. Charts, rankings and changes calculated by Husfarm.