Food Processing — Emissions (CO2eq) in South Africa

South Africa: Food Processing — Emissions (CO2eq) was 1,113 kt in 2023. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2023)
1,113 kt
Change on year
unchanged
World rank
44th
of 107 countries
All-time high
1,131 kt
in 2021
All-time low
34.41 kt
in 1993
Years of data
31
1993–2023

Food Processing — Emissions (CO2eq) in South Africa, 1993–2023

02505007501.0k1.2k1993200820231993: 34.4 kt1994: 37.3 kt1995: 35.8 kt1996: 42.2 kt1997: 52.5 kt1998: 51.3 kt1999: 53.9 kt2000: 55.6 kt2001: 41.1 kt2002: 46 kt2003: 49.6 kt2004: 41.1 kt2005: 246.5 kt2006: 710.9 kt2007: 706.9 kt2008: 799.2 kt2009: 760.1 kt2010: 822 kt2011: 771.6 kt2012: 824.5 kt2013: 868.9 kt2014: 936.4 kt2015: 919.3 kt2016: 1.0k kt2017: 1.1k kt2018: 1.1k kt2019: 1.1k kt2020: 1.1k kt2021: 1.1k kt2022: 1.1k kt2023: 1.1k kt

Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Measured in kt.

Analysis

In 2023, food processing — emissions (co2eq) in South Africa stood at 1,113 kt.

The figure is up 28.0% over ten years.

Over the whole period, food processing — emissions (co2eq) in South Africa peaked at 1,131 kt in 2021 and was at its lowest, 34.41 kt, in 1993.

South Africa ranks 44th of 107 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Food Processing — Emissions (CO2eq) in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for Food Processing — Emissions (CO2eq) (AR5) in South Africa, 1993 to 2023.
Year kt Change
1993 34.41 kt —
1994 37.34 kt +8.5%
1995 35.83 kt -4.0%
1996 42.19 kt +17.7%
1997 52.5 kt +24.4%
1998 51.3 kt -2.3%
1999 53.88 kt +5.0%
2000 55.61 kt +3.2%
2001 41.08 kt -26.1%
2002 45.97 kt +11.9%
2003 49.61 kt +7.9%
2004 41.08 kt -17.2%
2005 246.46 kt +500.0%
2006 710.93 kt +188.5%
2007 706.94 kt -0.6%
2008 799.2 kt +13.0%
2009 760.15 kt -4.9%
2010 822.03 kt +8.1%
2011 771.57 kt -6.1%
2012 824.55 kt +6.9%
2013 868.93 kt +5.4%
2014 936.41 kt +7.8%
2015 919.31 kt -1.8%
2016 1,011 kt +10.0%
2017 1,086 kt +7.4%
2018 1,064 kt -2.0%
2019 1,109 kt +4.3%
2020 1,104 kt -0.4%
2021 1,131 kt +2.4%
2022 1,113 kt -1.6%
2023 1,113 kt +0.0%

South Africa compared with similar countries

  • South Africa's 1,113 kt is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 492.85 kt, 2.3× the median. (30 countries reporting)
  • South Africa's 1,113 kt is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 62.84 kt, 17.7× the median. (18 countries reporting)

Biggest year-on-year movements

Years where Food Processing — Emissions (CO2eq) in South Africa changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.

YearChange FromTo
2005 +500.0% 41.08 kt 246.46 kt
2006 +188.5% 246.46 kt 710.93 kt

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 43.92 kt 34.41 kt 53.88 kt 7
2000s 345.7 kt 41.08 kt 799.2 kt 10
2010s 941.23 kt 771.57 kt 1,109 kt 10
2020s 1,115 kt 1,104 kt 1,131 kt 4

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 41 Austria 1,413 kt compare
  2. 42 Ireland 1,339 kt compare
  3. 43 Portugal 1,188 kt compare
  4. 45 Bulgaria 1,078 kt compare
  5. 46 Israel 809.64 kt compare
  6. 47 Azerbaijan 711.29 kt compare

See the full ranking of 148 places →

More climate change data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is food processing — emissions (co2eq) in South Africa?
Food processing — emissions (co2eq) in South Africa was 1,113 kt in 2023, according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
What is the highest food processing — emissions (co2eq) recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 1,131 kt in 2021.
What is the lowest food processing — emissions (co2eq) recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 34.41 kt in 1993.
How does South Africa rank for food processing — emissions (co2eq)?
South Africa ranks 44th out of 107 countries with data for 2023.
Is food processing — emissions (co2eq) rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is up 28.0%. 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, published as part of Food Processing — Emissions (CO2eq) (AR5). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Food Processing — Emissions (CO2eq) in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Retrieved 27 September 2026, from https://climate.statizoid.com/stat/food-processing-emissions-co2eq-ar5/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Food Processing — Emissions (CO2eq) (AR5)
Unit
kt
Source
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Licence
CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO (FAO)
Coverage
148 places, 4,038 data points, 1990–2023
Last refreshed

The FAOSTAT domain on Emissions from Pre- and post- agricultural production includes the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and related activity data, generated from pre- and post-agriculture production stages of the agri-food systems. Data are computed following the Tier 1 methods of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Guidelines for National greenhouse gas (GHG) Inventories (IPCC, 1996; 1997; 2000; 2002; 2006; 2014). The domain includes methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), carbon dioxide (CO2) and CO2 equivalent (CO2eq) emissions from the above activities as well as the aggregate fluorinated gases (F-gases) emissions. Estimates are available by country, with global coverage and are updated annually.The FAOSTAT domain disseminates information estimates of CH4, N2O, CO2 emissions, F-gases, their aggregates in CO2eq in units of kilotonnes (kt, or 10^6 kg), and the underlying activity data. CO2eq emissions are computed by using the IPCC Fifth Assessment report global warming potentials, AR5 (IPCC, 2014). Data are available for most countries and territories, for standard FAOSTAT regional aggregations, and for Annex I and non-Annex I country groups.