> In 2024 South Africa produced 1.9 million t of wheat, the 40th largest in the world (0.24% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 10.0%.

Source: https://husfarm.com/production/wheat/south-africa/

[Home](https://husfarm.com/)›[Production](https://husfarm.com/production/)›[Wheat](https://husfarm.com/production/wheat/)›South AfricaFAOSTAT · 1961–2024

# Wheat production in South Africa

In 2024 South Africa produced 1.9 million t of wheat, the 40th largest in the world (0.24% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 10.0%. The record was 3.6 million t in 1988. Area harvested: 505,300 ha, yield 3.8 t/ha.

[Today’s prices](https://husfarm.com/today-price/wheat/)[Market prices in South Africa](https://husfarm.com/country/south-africa/)

Production, 20241.9 million t
World rank40 of 122
10-year change+10.0%
Record3.6 million t1988

## Wheat in South Africa, 1961–2024 (tonnes)

## South Africa compared with the world, 2024

Share of world total0.24%0.24% in 2014
Yield, t/ha3.8world 3.6 (+4.7%)
kg per person30.1world 97.8
10-year change+10.0%world +9.1%

### Position in the world ranking

| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 38 | [Syria](https://husfarm.com/production/wheat/syria/) | 2,431,225 | 0.30% |
| 39 | [Nepal](https://husfarm.com/production/wheat/nepal/) | 2,035,559 | 0.25% |
| 40 | **South Africa** | 1,924,890 | 0.24% |
| 41 | [Slovakia](https://husfarm.com/production/wheat/slovakia/) | 1,907,940 | 0.24% |
| 42 | [Azerbaijan](https://husfarm.com/production/wheat/azerbaijan/) | 1,901,046 | 0.24% |

[Full ranking of 122 countries](https://husfarm.com/production/wheat/)

### Map of world production of wheat

under 0.1%0.1–1%1–5%5–15%15% or moreno data
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 | 1,924,890 | −6.1% | 505,300 | 3.81 |
| 2023 | 2,050,000 | −2.8% | 537,950 | 3.81 |
| 2022 | 2,110,000 | −7.7% | 566,800 | 3.72 |
| 2021 | 2,285,000 | +7.8% | 523,500 | 4.36 |
| 2020 | 2,120,000 | +38% | 509,800 | 4.16 |
| 2019 | 1,535,000 | −18% | 540,000 | 2.84 |
| 2018 | 1,868,000 | +22% | 503,350 | 3.71 |
| 2017 | 1,535,000 | −20% | 491,600 | 3.12 |
| 2016 | 1,910,000 | +33% | 508,365 | 3.76 |
| 2015 | 1,440,000 | −18% | 482,150 | 2.99 |
| 2014 | 1,750,000 | −6.4% | 476,570 | 3.67 |
| 2013 | 1,870,000 | −2.3% | 505,500 | 3.70 |
| 2012 | 1,915,000 | −4.5% | 511,000 | 3.75 |
| 2011 | 2,005,000 | +40% | 604,700 | 3.32 |
| 2010 | 1,430,000 | −27% | 558,100 | 2.56 |
| 2009 | 1,958,000 | −8.1% | 642,500 | 3.05 |
| 2008 | 2,130,000 | +12% | 748,000 | 2.85 |
| 2007 | 1,905,000 | −9.5% | 632,000 | 3.01 |
| 2006 | 2,105,000 | +10% | 765,000 | 2.75 |
| 2005 | 1,905,000 | +13% | 805,000 | 2.37 |
| 2004 | 1,687,000 | +9.1% | 830,000 | 2.03 |
| 2003 | 1,546,840 | −37% | 748,000 | 2.07 |
| 2002 | 2,437,745 | −2.6% | 941,000 | 2.59 |
| 2001 | 2,503,950 | +3.1% | 974,000 | 2.57 |
| 2000 | 2,428,100 | +40% | 934,000 | 2.60 |
| 1999 | 1,733,030 | −8.4% | 718,000 | 2.41 |
| 1998 | 1,892,080 | −22% | 748,000 | 2.53 |
| 1997 | 2,428,840 | −10% | 1,382,000 | 1.76 |
| 1996 | 2,711,991 | +37% | 1,293,800 | 2.10 |
| 1995 | 1,977,254 | +7.4% | 1,363,000 | 1.45 |
| 1994 | 1,840,380 | −7.2% | 1,048,000 | 1.76 |
| 1993 | 1,983,770 | +50% | 1,075,000 | 1.85 |
| 1992 | 1,324,000 | −38% | 750,000 | 1.77 |
| 1991 | 2,142,000 | +25% | 1,436,000 | 1.49 |
| 1990 | 1,709,000 | −15% | 1,563,000 | 1.09 |
| 1989 | 2,010,000 | −44% | 1,843,000 | 1.09 |
| 1988 | 3,620,000 | +15% | 2,009,000 | 1.80 |
| 1987 | 3,154,000 | +35% | 1,749,000 | 1.80 |
| 1986 | 2,333,000 | +38% | 1,946,000 | 1.20 |
| 1985 | 1,693,000 | −28% | 1,983,000 | 0.85 |
| 1984 | 2,346,000 | +32% | 1,942,000 | 1.21 |
| 1983 | 1,784,000 | −27% | 1,819,000 | 0.98 |
| 1982 | 2,444,000 | +3.7% | 2,013,000 | 1.21 |
| 1981 | 2,356,000 | +60% | 1,812,000 | 1.30 |
| 1980 | 1,472,000 | −29% | 1,627,000 | 0.90 |
| 1979 | 2,087,000 | +23% | 1,903,000 | 1.10 |
| 1978 | 1,692,000 | −10.0% | 1,895,000 | 0.89 |
| 1977 | 1,879,000 | −16% | 1,828,000 | 1.03 |
| 1976 | 2,248,000 | +25% | 1,959,000 | 1.15 |
| 1975 | 1,792,000 | +12% | 1,839,000 | 0.97 |
| 1974 | 1,596,000 | −15% | 1,865,000 | 0.86 |
| 1973 | 1,871,000 | +7.2% | 2,025,000 | 0.92 |
| 1972 | 1,746,000 | +4.6% | 2,017,000 | 0.87 |
| 1971 | 1,670,000 | +20% | 2,010,000 | 0.83 |
| 1970 | 1,396,000 | +6.1% | 1,930,000 | 0.72 |
| 1969 | 1,316,000 | +5.5% | 1,850,000 | 0.71 |
| 1968 | 1,247,000 | +16% | 1,670,000 | 0.75 |
| 1967 | 1,077,000 | +97% | 1,298,000 | 0.83 |
| 1966 | 548,000 | −16% | 1,134,000 | 0.48 |
| 1965 | 656,000 | −38% | 1,360,000 | 0.48 |
| 1964 | 1,060,000 | +20% | 1,319,000 | 0.80 |
| 1963 | 880,000 | +25% | 1,519,000 | 0.58 |
| 1962 | 705,000 | −19% | 1,375,000 | 0.51 |
| 1961 | 871,000 | — | 1,407,000 | 0.62 |

## Trade, 2024

Exports498,158 t USD 164 m
Exporter rank29 of 102
Imports2.0 million t USD 538 m
Importer rank29 of 176
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](https://husfarm.com/production/wheat/)

## Questions and answers

### What is the production of wheat in South Africa?

South Africa produced 1.9 million t in 2024, 0.24% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.

### Where does South Africa rank in the world for production of wheat?

South Africa ranked 40th of 122 countries in 2024. The largest producer was China with 17.5% of the world total.

### How has the production of wheat in South Africa changed?

It rose by 10.0% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +9.1% for the world. The record was 3.6 million t in 1988.

### What is the yield of wheat in South Africa?

3.8 tonnes per hectare in 2024 (1.9 million t from 505,300 ha), against a world average of 3.6 t/ha.

### Does South Africa export or import wheat?

In 2024 South Africa reported exports of 498,158 t (USD 164 m) and imports of 2.0 million t (USD 538 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

[China](https://husfarm.com/production/wheat/china/)[India](https://husfarm.com/production/wheat/india/)[Russia](https://husfarm.com/production/wheat/russia/)[United States](https://husfarm.com/production/wheat/united-states/)[Canada](https://husfarm.com/production/wheat/canada/)[Australia](https://husfarm.com/production/wheat/australia/)[Pakistan](https://husfarm.com/production/wheat/pakistan/)[France](https://husfarm.com/production/wheat/france/)[Ukraine](https://husfarm.com/production/wheat/ukraine/)[Turkey](https://husfarm.com/production/wheat/turkey/)[Kazakhstan](https://husfarm.com/production/wheat/kazakhstan/)[Germany](https://husfarm.com/production/wheat/germany/)
[All countries producing wheat](https://husfarm.com/production/wheat/)

## Other products of South Africa

[Sugar cane](https://husfarm.com/production/sugar-cane/south-africa/)[Maize](https://husfarm.com/production/maize/south-africa/)[Cow milk](https://husfarm.com/production/cow-milk/south-africa/)[Beer](https://husfarm.com/production/beer/south-africa/)[Potatoes](https://husfarm.com/production/potatoes/south-africa/)[Raw sugar](https://husfarm.com/production/raw-sugar/south-africa/)[Chicken meat](https://husfarm.com/production/chicken-meat/south-africa/)[Grapes](https://husfarm.com/production/grapes/south-africa/)[Soybeans](https://husfarm.com/production/soybeans/south-africa/)[Oranges](https://husfarm.com/production/oranges/south-africa/)[Apples](https://husfarm.com/production/apples/south-africa/)[Beef (cattle meat)](https://husfarm.com/production/beef/south-africa/)
[Agricultural production in South Africa](https://husfarm.com/production/country/south-africa/)

Source: FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 4 November 2026. [fao.org/faostat](https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL). Licence: [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Charts, rankings and changes calculated by Husfarm.

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