Medical instruments imports in Ethiopia: data, top suppliers and prices
Ethiopia imported $58.4 million of medical instruments in 2024 (4.8 thousand tonnes). That is 19% less than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2021, at $104.0 million.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $58.4M | 4.8K t |
| 2023 | $72.1M | 5.8K t |
| 2022 | $87.3M | 4.2K t |
| 2021 | $104.0M | 4.7K t |
| 2020 | $86.5M | 3.9K t |
| 2019 | $78.2M | 5.7K t |
| 2018 | $45.3M | 5.7K t |
| 2017 | $36.1M | 4.8K t |
Where Ethiopia imports medical instruments from
Most of the value came from China (49%), India (11%), Hong Kong (6%). Among the main suppliers, Hong Kong grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $28.9M | 49% |
| India | $6.5M | 11% |
| Hong Kong | $3.8M | 6.4% |
| Germany | $3.6M | 6.1% |
| Italy | $2.9M | 4.9% |
| United States | $2.7M | 4.7% |
| Netherlands | $1.9M | 3.3% |
| Kenya | $1.9M | 3.3% |
| France | $1.2M | 2% |
| South Korea | $926K | 1.6% |
Product types under HS 9018
| 9018.90 | Medical instruments (other) | 35% |
| 9018.12 | Ultrasound machines | 18% |
| 9018.39 | Catheters and cannulae | 13% |
| 9018.31 | Medical syringes | 11% |
| 9018.19 | Electrodiagnostic equipment | 7.1% |
| 9018.13 | MRI machines | 7% |
| 9018.50 | Ophthalmic instruments | 4.2% |
| 9018.32 | Medical needles | 3% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 9018.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $12.18 per kg, 67% below the world average of $37.39, 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.
Medical instruments exports from Ethiopia
Exports of medical instruments by Ethiopia reached $365 thousand in 2024 (10 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Nigeria (37%), Angola (31%), Zambia (12%). Among the main buyer markets, Senegal grew fastest (+834% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Nigeria | $135K | 37% |
| Angola | $112K | 31% |
| Zambia | $46K | 13% |
| Malawi | $33K | 9.1% |
| Senegal | $15K | 4.2% |
| India | $15K | 4% |
| United States | $4K | 1.1% |
| Burkina Faso | $1K | 0.3% |
| Indonesia | $1K | 0.3% |
| Ireland | $1K | 0.2% |
Who is behind these numbers in Ethiopia?
The shipment records behind Ethiopia medical instruments imports (HS 9018): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
Tell us what you trade and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
Direct customs feed: shipment-level records from the official customs source.
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 9018: Instruments and appliances used in medical, surgical, dental or veterinary sciences, including scintigraphic apparatus, other electro-medical apparatus and sight testing instruments.
Common questions
What is the value of medical instruments imported by Ethiopia?
Ethiopia imported medical instruments worth $58.4 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 4.8 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 96th of 226 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 19% on 2023.
Which countries supply medical instruments to Ethiopia?
China was the largest supplier with 49% of the value ($28.9 million), followed by India (11%) and Hong Kong (6%). The top three together account for 67%, out of 34 supplier countries in total. France grew fastest among the top ten, up 106% on the year.
What is the average import price of medical instruments per kg?
The average declared import value was about $12.18 per kg in 2024, 67% below the world average of $37.39 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of medical instruments to Ethiopia changed since 2017?
Imports went from $36.1 million in 2017 to $58.4 million in 2024, an increase of 62%. The peak was 2021 at $104.0 million. Over 8 years the average was $71.0 million a year.
Does Ethiopia also export medical instruments?
Yes. Ethiopia exported $365 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Nigeria, Angola and Zambia. On balance Ethiopia is a net importer of this product, by about $58.1 million a year.
What is the HS code for medical instruments?
The HS code for medical instruments is heading 9018. In Ethiopia the largest six-digit codes were 9018.90 (34% of the value) and 9018.12 (18%).
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
Shipment-level records for Ethiopia reach EximDataX from a direct customs feed, with company names, dates and declared values. We can show them for your product on a short call.
Same product, other countries
World medical instruments trade: top importers and exporters
Medical instruments product types in Ethiopia
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