Data-led analysis of Mercosur food ingredient flows into South Africa, sourced from SARS bilateral trade data and UN Comtrade.
South Africa imports $8.5 million of soya lecithin annually (Comtrade 2024). China supplies 69% of that market. Argentina exports $92.5M globally but zero reaches South Africa.
Argentina is the world's largest soya lecithin producer, a byproduct of the Rosario soy crushing corridor, which processes over 40 million tonnes of soybeans annually. Argentina exports lecithin globally to Chile, the Netherlands and Ecuador as the top buyers.
The trade flow between Argentina and South Africa is zero. Mercosur's combined lecithin export capability dwarfs China's, yet not a single kilogram reaches the SA market. Argentine FOB prices are significantly below current Chinese CIF prices into Durban, representing a clear displacement opportunity.
Source Soya Lecithin from Argentina → Source Soya Lecithin from Argentina →Source: UN Comtrade 2024 | SARS Bilateral Trade 2025 | HS 292390
South Africa imported R350M of starches from Mercosur in 2025. Modified waxy corn starch (E1422) is a high-value subset of that market, used in food manufacturing for sauces, dairy, processed meats and frozen foods.
SA imports $36M of modified starch annually from Thailand, USA and Netherlands. Argentina and Brazil are competitive producers with growing export capacity and zero current share of the SA market.
The gap is structural, Egyptian and Ukrainian producers benefit from lower energy costs on commodity starch production, but the price advantage disappears on premium modified grades where Mercosur producers excel.
Source Modified Starch from Mercosur →Source: UN Comtrade 2024 | SARS Bilateral Trade 2025 | HS 350510
South Africa imported R3.3 billion in food ingredients from Mercosur in 2025, a 24% increase year on year. Uruguay is the dominant supplier, particularly for full cream milk powder, where Conaprole is one of Latin America's largest exporters.
The growth reflects both South Africa's expanding dairy processing sector and increasing price competitiveness of Uruguayan and Argentine producers relative to traditional suppliers from New Zealand and the EU.
Full cream milk powder (HS 040221) attracts a SARS specific duty of 450c/kg under MFN, however SADC rates are FREE, and MERCOSUR preferential rates apply to qualifying origins. Understanding the correct tariff treatment is essential for landed cost modelling.
Source Full Cream Milk Powder from Mercosur →Source: UN Comtrade 2024 | SARS Bilateral Trade 2025 | HS 040221
South Africa imports $171.7M of sunflower oil annually (Comtrade 2024). Bulgaria dominates at $113.5M (66%), with Argentina supplying $23.3M (14%) at competitive CIF pricing.
Under the MERCOSUR-SACU preferential trade agreement, Argentine sunflower oil attracts a 4% import duty versus 10% MFN, a structural cost advantage that is not fully exploited by the market.
Argentina is the world's 2nd largest sunflower oil exporter with a massive domestic crush capacity. The flow to SA exists but is underdeveloped relative to Argentina's export capability and competitive price position.
Source Edible Oils from Argentina → Source Edible Oils from Argentina →Source: UN Comtrade 2024 | SARS Bilateral Trade 2025 | HS 151211
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