Medicinal plants exports from the DR Congo: data, top buyers and prices
Exports of medicinal plants by the DR Congo reached $10.4 million in 2024 (5.5 thousand tonnes). That is 16% more than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2021, at $13.6 million.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Exports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $10.4M | 5.5K t |
| 2023 | $8.9M | 5.0K t |
| 2022 | $9.9M | 4.8K t |
| 2021 | $13.6M | 6.0K t |
| 2020 | $12.4M | 5.4K t |
| 2019 | $10.7M | 4.9K t |
| 2018 | $9.4M | 3.8K t |
| 2017 | $11.4M | 4.3K t |
Where the DR Congo exports medicinal plants to
Kenya alone took 57% of it. Among the main buyer markets, India grew fastest (+72% on the year before).
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.88 per kg, 52% below the world average of $3.90, which often means bulk or lower-grade product.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Medicinal plants imports to the DR Congo
In 2024, the DR Congo imported medicinal plants worth $4.5 million (18 tonnes). One supplier dominates: Portugal accounted for 98% of the value.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Portugal | $4.4M | 98% |
| Belgium | $60K | 1.3% |
| France | $9K | 0.2% |
| Kenya | $6K | 0.1% |
| China | $5K | 0.1% |
| South Africa | $4K | 0.1% |
| Turkey | $4K | 0.1% |
| Angola | $1K | 0% |
| India | $0K | 0% |
| Zambia | $0K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in the DR Congo?
The shipment records behind DR Congo medicinal plants exports (HS 1211): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
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Mirror data: built from the shipment records of the countries that trade with it.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 1211: Plants and parts of plants (including seeds and fruits), of a kind used primarily in perfumery, in pharmacy or for insecticidal, fungicidal or similar purposes, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not cut, crushed or powdered.
Common questions
What is the value of medicinal plants exported by the DR Congo?
The DR Congo exported medicinal plants worth $10.4 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 5.5 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 56th of 194 countries worldwide, with 0% of world exports. The value was up 16% on 2023.
Which countries buy medicinal plants from the DR Congo?
Kenya was the largest buyer with 57% of the value ($5.9 million), followed by India (15%) and Indonesia (13%). The top three together account for 85%, out of 13 buyer countries in total. Italy grew fastest among the top ten, up 146% on the year.
What is the average export price of medicinal plants per kg?
The average declared export value was about $1.88 per kg in 2024, 52% below the world average of $3.90 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have exports of medicinal plants from the DR Congo changed since 2017?
Exports went from $11.4 million in 2017 to $10.4 million in 2024, a fall of 9%. The peak was 2021 at $13.6 million. Over 8 years the average was $10.8 million a year.
Does the DR Congo also import medicinal plants?
Yes. The DR Congo imported $4.5 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Portugal, Belgium and France. On balance the DR Congo is a net exporter of this product, by about $5.8 million a year.
What is the HS code for medicinal plants?
The HS code for medicinal plants is heading 1211. In the DR Congo all of this trade was declared under the six-digit code 1211.90. It sits in HS chapter 12 (oil seeds and oleaginous fruits; miscellaneous grains, seeds and fruit, industrial or medicinal plants; straw and fodder). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 1211 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
The totals here are public statistics; EximDataX adds the company names by reading partner countries' customs records for the DR Congo. Tell us your product to see it live.
Same product, other countries
More trade data for the DR Congo
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