Acrylic resin imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported acrylic resin worth $130.4 million (71.6 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. That is 13% more than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable.
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 | $130.4M | 71.6K t |
| 2023 | $115.1M | 61.5K t |
| 2022 | $152.7M | 73.4K t |
| 2021 | $122.4M | 65.6K t |
| 2020 | $90.6M | 51.8K t |
| 2019 | $110.6M | 62.4K t |
| 2018 | $118.0M | 63.8K t |
| 2017 | $106.3M | 59.9K t |
Where South Africa imports acrylic resin from
Most of the value came from China (23%), India (17%), South Korea (10%). Trade is spread widely: the top three suppliers together make up only 50%. Among the main suppliers, India grew fastest (+162% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $29.4M | 23% |
| India | $22.6M | 17% |
| South Korea | $13.1M | 10% |
| Germany | $13.0M | 10% |
| France | $9.2M | 7% |
| Belgium | $6.0M | 4.6% |
| Netherlands | $5.5M | 4.2% |
| Sweden | $5.3M | 4% |
| Singapore | $4.2M | 3.3% |
| Taiwan | $3.3M | 2.5% |
Product types under HS 3906
| 3906.90 | Acrylic polymers: (other than polymethyl methacrylate), in primary forms | 93% |
| 3906.10 | Acrylic polymers: poly(methyl methacrylate), in primary forms | 6.9% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 3906.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.82 per kg, close to the world average of $2.18.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Acrylic resin exports from South Africa
Exports of acrylic resin by South Africa reached $61.8 million in 2024 (32.0 thousand tonnes). Most of it went to DR Congo (25%), Zambia (11%), Zimbabwe (9%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 45%. Among the main buyer markets, Brazil grew fastest (+212% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| DR Congo | $15.2M | 25% |
| Zambia | $7.1M | 12% |
| Zimbabwe | $5.3M | 8.5% |
| Tanzania | $5.0M | 8.1% |
| Mozambique | $3.4M | 5.6% |
| Namibia | $3.3M | 5.3% |
| United States | $3.1M | 5% |
| Ghana | $2.6M | 4.2% |
| Brazil | $2.3M | 3.8% |
| Botswana | $2.3M | 3.7% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
Public statistics stop at country totals and the last published year. EximDataX shows the shipment records underneath: the companies, dates, quantities and declared values, updated weekly.
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.
Updated weekly on EximDataX (some markets daily), while public statistics stop at 2024.
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 3906: Acrylic polymers in primary forms.
Common questions
What is the value of acrylic resin imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported acrylic resin worth $130.4 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 71.6 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 34th of 214 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 13% on 2023.
Which countries supply acrylic resin to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 23% of the value ($29.4 million), followed by India (17%) and South Korea (10%). The top three together account for 50%, out of 54 supplier countries in total. India grew fastest among the top ten, up 162% on the year.
What is the average import price of acrylic resin per kg?
The average declared import value was about $1.82 per kg in 2024, 17% below the world average of $2.18 per kg. It is total declared value divided by total weight, so it blends every grade and size; use it as a benchmark, not a quote. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
How have imports of acrylic resin to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $106.3 million in 2017 to $130.4 million in 2024, an increase of 23%. The peak was 2022 at $152.7 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export acrylic resin?
Yes. South Africa exported $61.8 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to the DR Congo, Zambia and Zimbabwe. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $68.6 million a year.
What is the HS code for acrylic resin?
The HS code for acrylic resin is heading 3906. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 3906.90 (93% of the value) and 3906.10 (7%). It sits in HS chapter 39 (plastics and articles thereof). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 3906 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
Public statistics stop at country totals. EximDataX rebuilds South Africa trade from the customs records of its trading partners, updated weekly, so you can see the companies that ship to and from it. Tell us your product and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
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