Wool, greasy production in South Africa
In 2024 South Africa produced 43,355 t of wool, greasy, the 10th largest in the world (2.56% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 4.1%. The record was 151,500 t in 1970.
The 2024 figure is imputed by FAO.
- Production, 2024
- 43,355 t
- World rank
- 10 of 69
- 10-year change
- −4.1%
- Record
- 151,500 t
- 1970
Wool, greasy in South Africa, 1961–2024 (tonnes)
South Africa compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 2.6%
- 2.2% in 2014
- kg per person
- 0.68
- world 0.21
- 10-year change
- −4.1%
- world −16%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Iran | 48,168 | 2.8% |
| 9 | Russia | 43,564 | 2.6% |
| 10 | South Africa | 43,355 | 2.6% |
| 11 | Pakistan | 41,877 | 2.5% |
| 12 | Uzbekistan | 39,864 | 2.4% |
Map of world production of wool, greasy
Share of the world total; South Africa is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 43,355 | −0.2% |
| 2023 | 43,459 | −0.2% |
| 2022 | 43,564 | +0.6% |
| 2021 | 43,299 | −2.0% |
| 2020 | 44,183 | −1.5% |
| 2019 | 44,840 | −1.1% |
| 2018 | 45,344 | −0.4% |
| 2017 | 45,524 | −1.7% |
| 2016 | 46,297 | −7.0% |
| 2015 | 49,788 | +10% |
| 2014 | 45,200 | +3.0% |
| 2013 | 43,902 | +10% |
| 2012 | 39,904 | −3.5% |
| 2011 | 41,365 | −4.9% |
| 2010 | 43,489 | +3.7% |
| 2009 | 41,919 | −3.4% |
| 2008 | 43,378 | −0.2% |
| 2007 | 43,465 | +3.2% |
| 2006 | 42,130 | −2.8% |
| 2005 | 43,346 | +0.4% |
| 2004 | 43,188 | +11% |
| 2003 | 39,004 | −14% |
| 2002 | 45,310 | −9.3% |
| 2001 | 49,959 | +1.2% |
| 2000 | 49,385 | −12% |
| 1999 | 56,032 | +6.6% |
| 1998 | 52,572 | −0.9% |
| 1997 | 53,065 | −8.7% |
| 1996 | 58,153 | −14% |
| 1995 | 67,600 | −13% |
| 1994 | 77,300 | +5.3% |
| 1993 | 73,400 | −12% |
| 1992 | 83,000 | −19% |
| 1991 | 102,600 | +6.3% |
| 1990 | 96,500 | +1.7% |
| 1989 | 94,906 | +4.4% |
| 1988 | 90,900 | +1.5% |
| 1987 | 89,600 | −7.1% |
| 1986 | 96,400 | −7.7% |
| 1985 | 104,400 | −4.3% |
| 1984 | 109,100 | −3.3% |
| 1983 | 112,800 | +2.2% |
| 1982 | 110,400 | +5.6% |
| 1981 | 104,500 | +1.2% |
| 1980 | 103,300 | +1.4% |
| 1979 | 101,900 | −3.8% |
| 1978 | 105,900 | +2.9% |
| 1977 | 102,900 | −4.1% |
| 1976 | 107,300 | −0.8% |
| 1975 | 108,200 | +2.9% |
| 1974 | 105,100 | −4.3% |
| 1973 | 109,800 | −7.6% |
| 1972 | 118,800 | −4.2% |
| 1971 | 124,000 | −18% |
| 1970 | 151,500 | +2.1% |
| 1969 | 148,400 | +3.3% |
| 1968 | 143,600 | +3.8% |
| 1967 | 138,300 | −7.5% |
| 1966 | 149,500 | +0.7% |
| 1965 | 148,400 | +11% |
| 1964 | 134,200 | −3.4% |
| 1963 | 138,900 | +1.8% |
| 1962 | 136,500 | −4.3% |
| 1961 | 142,600 | — |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 48,490 t USD 252 m
- Exporter rank
- 2 of 69
- Imports
- 6,482 t USD 37.6 m
- Importer rank
- 7 of 58
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 wool, greasy in South Africa?
South Africa produced 43,355 t in 2024, 2.6% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does South Africa rank in the world for production of wool, greasy?
South Africa ranked 10th of 69 countries in 2024. The largest producer was China with 21.5% of the world total.
How has the production of wool, greasy in South Africa changed?
It fell by 4.1% between 2014 and 2024, compared with −16% for the world. The record was 151,500 t in 1970.
Does South Africa export or import shorn wool, greasy, including fleece-washed shorn wool?
In 2024 South Africa reported exports of 48,490 t (USD 252 m) and imports of 6,482 t (USD 37.6 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; the 2024 figure for South Africa is imputed by FAO. Shares, ranks and per-person figures are calculated by Husfarm.
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.