Cationic surfactant imports in Nigeria: data, top suppliers and prices
Nigeria imported $2.2 million of cationic surfactant in 2024 (1.6 thousand tonnes). That is 4% less than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 27% a year on average.
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 | $2.2M | 1.6K t |
| 2023 | $2.3M | 859 t |
| 2022 | $1.9M | 561 t |
| 2021 | $680K | 591 t |
| 2020 | $525K | 371 t |
| 2019 | $339K | 355 t |
| 2018 | $234K | 147 t |
| 2017 | $430K | 110 t |
Where Nigeria imports cationic surfactant from
One supplier dominates: China accounted for 91% of the value.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $2.0M | 91% |
| South Korea | $89K | 3.9% |
| India | $86K | 3.8% |
| Sweden | $20K | 0.9% |
| Germany | $4K | 0.2% |
| France | $4K | 0.2% |
| South Africa | $1K | 0% |
| United Kingdom | $0K | 0% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.39 per kg, 44% below the world average of $2.50, 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.
Who is behind these numbers in Nigeria?
The shipment records behind Nigeria cationic surfactant imports (HS 3402.12): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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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 3402.12: Organic surface-active agents: cationic (other than soap), whether or not put up for retail sale.
Common questions
What is the value of cationic surfactant imported by Nigeria?
Nigeria imported cationic surfactant worth $2.2 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 1.6 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 52nd of 183 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 4% on 2023.
Which countries supply cationic surfactant to Nigeria?
China was the largest supplier with 91% of the value ($2.0 million), followed by South Korea (4%) and India (4%). The top three together account for 99%, out of 8 supplier countries in total. South Korea grew fastest among the top ten, up 415% on the year.
What is the average import price of cationic surfactant per kg?
The average declared import value was about $1.39 per kg in 2024, 44% below the world average of $2.50 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of cationic surfactant to Nigeria changed since 2017?
Imports went from $430 thousand in 2017 to $2.2 million in 2024, an increase of 423%. The peak was 2023 at $2.3 million. Over 8 years the average was $1.1 million a year.
What is the HS code for cationic surfactant?
The HS code for cationic surfactant is subheading 3402.12. It sits in HS chapter 34 (soap, organic surface-active agents; washing, lubricating, polishing or scouring preparations; artificial or prepared waxes, candles and similar articles, modelling pastes, dental waxes and dental preparations with a basis of plaster). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 3402 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
The totals here are public statistics; the company-level detail sits in EximDataX, which has a direct customs feed for Nigeria. Tell us your product to see it live.
Same product, other countries
World cationic surfactant trade: top importers and exporters
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