Acetic acid imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported acetic acid worth $6.0 million (8.5 thousand tonnes). That is 7% less than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2021, at $11.9 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 | $6.0M | 8.5K t |
| 2023 | $6.4M | 8.5K t |
| 2022 | $6.4M | 5.5K t |
| 2021 | $11.9M | 9.9K t |
| 2020 | $4.1M | 7.3K t |
| 2019 | $4.8M | 6.9K t |
| 2018 | $7.5M | 9.2K t |
| 2017 | $4.2M | 6.7K t |
Where South Africa imports acetic acid from
China alone supplied 64% of it. Among the main suppliers, India grew fastest (+31% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $3.8M | 64% |
| South Korea | $951K | 16% |
| India | $933K | 16% |
| Hong Kong | $117K | 2% |
| United Kingdom | $70K | 1.2% |
| Netherlands | $33K | 0.6% |
| Switzerland | $25K | 0.4% |
| Germany | $19K | 0.3% |
| Sweden | $14K | 0.2% |
| United States | $5K | 0.1% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.71 per kg, 37% above the world average of $0.52. This usually points to higher-grade or processed goods.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Acetic acid exports from South Africa
Exports of acetic acid by South Africa reached $883 thousand in 2024 (1.8 thousand tonnes). Most of it went to Zambia (24%), Botswana (13%), DR Congo (10%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 48%. Among the main buyer markets, Lesotho grew fastest (+42% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zambia | $210K | 24% |
| Botswana | $119K | 13% |
| DR Congo | $91K | 10% |
| Uganda | $65K | 7.4% |
| Zimbabwe | $59K | 6.7% |
| Mozambique | $50K | 5.7% |
| Namibia | $49K | 5.6% |
| Angola | $41K | 4.6% |
| Guinea | $35K | 3.9% |
| Lesotho | $30K | 3.4% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa acetic acid imports (HS 2915.21): 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.
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 2915.21: Acids: saturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids: acetic acid.
Common questions
What is the value of acetic acid imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported acetic acid worth $6.0 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 8.5 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 34th of 186 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 7% on 2023.
Which countries supply acetic acid to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 64% of the value ($3.8 million), followed by South Korea (16%) and India (16%). The top three together account for 95%, out of 17 supplier countries in total. Hong Kong grew fastest among the top ten, up 134% on the year.
What is the average import price of acetic acid per kg?
The average declared import value was about $0.71 per kg in 2024, 37% above the world average of $0.52 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of acetic acid to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $4.2 million in 2017 to $6.0 million in 2024, an increase of 40%. The peak was 2021 at $11.9 million. Over 8 years the average was $6.4 million a year.
Does South Africa also export acetic acid?
Yes. South Africa exported $883 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Zambia, Botswana and the DR Congo. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $5.1 million a year.
What is the HS code for acetic acid?
The HS code for acetic acid is subheading 2915.21. It sits in HS chapter 29 (organic chemicals). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 2915 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
EximDataX rebuilds South Africa trade from the customs records of its trading partners, so the companies shipping to and from it are visible. Ask for a live look at your product.
Same product, other countries
See what your buyers are buying.Then decide.
Everything we show you comes from official customs filings — records, not claims. 30 minutes. Your shipment. Your HS code. Real platform. If you don’t see something new about your market by the end of the call, we walk away. No follow-ups.