Soybean production in South Africa
South Africa: Soybean production was 1.85 million tonnes in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Soybean production in South Africa, 1961–2024
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
The most recent figure for soybean production in South Africa is 1.85 million tonnes, measured in 2024.
That represents a change of down 33.3% on the previous year and up 94.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, soybean production in South Africa peaked at 2.77 million tonnes in 2023 and was at its lowest, 2,000 tonnes, in 1972.
South Africa ranks 12th of 115 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 3,591 tonnes | 2,359 tonnes | 7,300 tonnes | 9 |
| 1970s | 17,540 tonnes | 2,000 tonnes | 40,100 tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | 41,315 tonnes | 21,448 tonnes | 78,600 tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | 108,900 tonnes | 58,200 tonnes | 215,000 tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 265,916 tonnes | 136,520 tonnes | 516,000 tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 949,684 tonnes | 566,000 tonnes | 1.54 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 2.00 million tonnes | 1.25 million tonnes | 2.77 million tonnes | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More reference data data for South Africa
- Spring temperature anomalies 0.191 °C (2026)
- Summer temperature anomalies 1.36 °C (2026)
- Temperature anomalies by month 0.6318 °C (2026)
- Universal right to vote in practice 2 (2025)
- Autumn temperature anomalies 1.18 °C (2025)
- Winter temperature anomalies 0.2153 °C (2025)
- Consumer price index 209.92 2010 = 100 (2025)
- Universal right to vote 2 (2025)
- Competitive elections 1 (2025)
- Men's universal right to vote 1 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is soybean production in South Africa?
- Soybean production in South Africa was 1.85 million tonnes in 2024, according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest soybean production recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 2.77 million tonnes in 2023.
- What is the lowest soybean production recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 2,000 tonnes in 1972.
- How does South Africa rank for soybean production?
- South Africa ranks 12th out of 115 countries with data for 2024.
- Is soybean production rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 94.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Soybean production. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 64 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Soybean production is measured in tonnes.