Rapeseed production in South Africa
In 2024 South Africa produced 288,200 t of rapeseed, the 22nd largest in the world (0.33% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 138%. This is the highest figure on record. Area harvested: 165,750 ha, yield 1.7 t/ha.
- Production, 2024
- 288,200 t
- World rank
- 22 of 64
- 10-year change
- +138%
- Record
- 288,200 t
- 2024
Rapeseed in South Africa, 1992–2024 (tonnes)
South Africa compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 0.33%
- 0.16% in 2014
- Yield, t/ha
- 1.7
- world 2.0 (−15%)
- kg per person
- 4.50
- world 10.8
- 10-year change
- +138%
- world +18%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | Slovakia | 393,540 | 0.45% |
| 21 | Brazil | 309,200 | 0.35% |
| 22 | South Africa | 288,200 | 0.33% |
| 23 | Kazakhstan | 286,087 | 0.33% |
| 24 | Sweden | 283,600 | 0.32% |
Map of world production of rapeseed
Share of the world total; South Africa is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change | Area harvested, ha | Yield, t/ha |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 288,200 | +22% | 165,750 | 1.74 |
| 2023 | 236,300 | +13% | 131,200 | 1.80 |
| 2022 | 210,000 | +6.0% | 123,510 | 1.70 |
| 2021 | 198,100 | +20% | 100,000 | 1.98 |
| 2020 | 165,200 | +74% | 74,120 | 2.23 |
| 2019 | 95,000 | −8.6% | 74,000 | 1.28 |
| 2018 | 103,950 | +11% | 77,000 | 1.35 |
| 2017 | 93,469 | −11% | 84,000 | 1.11 |
| 2016 | 105,000 | +13% | 68,075 | 1.54 |
| 2015 | 93,000 | −23% | 78,050 | 1.19 |
| 2014 | 121,000 | +8.0% | 95,000 | 1.27 |
| 2013 | 112,000 | +42% | 72,165 | 1.55 |
| 2012 | 79,000 | +34% | 44,100 | 1.79 |
| 2011 | 58,800 | +59% | 43,510 | 1.35 |
| 2010 | 36,900 | −8.6% | 34,820 | 1.06 |
| 2009 | 40,350 | +31% | 35,060 | 1.15 |
| 2008 | 30,800 | −19% | 34,000 | 0.91 |
| 2007 | 38,150 | +4.5% | 33,200 | 1.15 |
| 2006 | 36,500 | −17% | 32,000 | 1.14 |
| 2005 | 44,200 | +38% | 40,200 | 1.10 |
| 2004 | 32,000 | −22% | 44,250 | 0.72 |
| 2003 | 40,770 | +20% | 44,200 | 0.92 |
| 2002 | 33,970 | +32% | 31,150 | 1.09 |
| 2001 | 25,750 | +27% | 27,000 | 0.95 |
| 2000 | 20,300 | −12% | 19,145 | 1.06 |
| 1999 | 23,000 | −8.0% | 25,000 | 0.92 |
| 1998 | 25,000 | +69% | 17,000 | 1.47 |
| 1997 | 14,800 | +17% | 15,720 | 0.94 |
| 1996 | 12,600 | −21% | 10,880 | 1.16 |
| 1995 | 16,000 | +248% | 14,320 | 1.12 |
| 1994 | 4,596 | +360% | 5,230 | 0.88 |
| 1993 | 1,000 | +150% | 1,170 | 0.85 |
| 1992 | 400 | — | 400 | 1.00 |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 37,767 t USD 15.5 m
- Exporter rank
- 26 of 59
- Imports
- 754 t USD 5.8 m
- Importer rank
- 59 of 91
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 rapeseed in South Africa?
South Africa produced 288,200 t in 2024, 0.33% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does South Africa rank in the world for production of rapeseed?
South Africa ranked 22nd of 64 countries in 2024. The largest producer was Canada with 21.9% of the world total.
How has the production of rapeseed in South Africa changed?
It rose by 138% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +18% for the world. 2024 was the highest figure on record.
What is the yield of rapeseed in South Africa?
1.7 tonnes per hectare in 2024 (288,200 t from 165,750 ha), against a world average of 2.0 t/ha.
Does South Africa export or import rape or colza seed?
In 2024 South Africa reported exports of 37,767 t (USD 15.5 m) and imports of 754 t (USD 5.8 m), 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. 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.