Alcohol exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
South Africa exported $348.5 million of alcohol in 2024 (326.1 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. Value rose 10% on 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable.
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 | $348.5M | 326.1K t |
| 2023 | $316.6M | 300.5K t |
| 2022 | $416.4M | 317.3K t |
| 2021 | $414.1M | 296.1K t |
| 2020 | $263.0M | 357.9K t |
| 2019 | $257.5M | 325.1K t |
| 2018 | $280.7M | 279.8K t |
| 2017 | $294.8M | 342.0K t |
Where South Africa exports alcohol to
The largest buyer markets were Belgium (31%), Germany (15%), United States (7%). Among the main buyer markets, Nigeria grew fastest (+69% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Belgium | $106.7M | 31% |
| Germany | $51.3M | 15% |
| United States | $24.3M | 7% |
| India | $22.2M | 6.4% |
| Singapore | $18.9M | 5.4% |
| China | $17.3M | 5% |
| United Arab Emirates | $13.5M | 3.9% |
| Nigeria | $10.6M | 3% |
| Pakistan | $8.1M | 2.3% |
| Zimbabwe | $7.5M | 2.2% |
Product types under HS 2905
| 2905.13 | Alcohols: saturated monohydric, butan-1-ol (n-butyl alcohol) | 52% |
| 2905.12 | Alcohols: saturated monohydric, propan-1-ol (propyl alcohol) and propan-2-ol (isopropyl alcohol) | 37% |
| 2905.11 | Alcohols: saturated monohydric, methanol (methyl alcohol) | 3.7% |
| 2905.14 | Alcohols: saturated monohydric, butanols excluding item no. 2905.13 | 3.2% |
| 2905.19 | Alcohols: saturated monohydric, n.e.c. in item no. 2905.1 | 3% |
| 2905.45 | Alcohols: polyhydric, glycerol | 0.7% |
| 2905.32 | Alcohols: acyclic, diols: propylene glycol (propane-1, 2-diol) | 0.3% |
| 2905.17 | Alcohols: saturated monohydric, dodecan-1-ol (lauryl alcohol), hexadecan-1-ol (cetyl alcohol) and octadecan-1-ol (stearyl alcohol) | 0.3% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 2905.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.07 per kg, 91% above the world average of $0.56. 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.
Alcohol imports to South Africa
In 2024, South Africa imported alcohol worth $121.1 million (164.9 thousand tonnes). Most of the value came from Saudi Arabia (40%), China (15%), Netherlands (12%). Among the main suppliers, Netherlands grew fastest (+68% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia | $48.1M | 40% |
| China | $18.5M | 15% |
| Netherlands | $14.4M | 12% |
| Germany | $7.2M | 6% |
| Brazil | $4.9M | 4.1% |
| Malaysia | $4.9M | 4% |
| United States | $3.7M | 3.1% |
| India | $3.1M | 2.5% |
| Venezuela | $2.7M | 2.3% |
| South Korea | $2.3M | 1.9% |
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 2905: Acyclic alcohols and their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives.
Common questions
What is the value of alcohol exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported alcohol worth $348.5 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 326.1 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 23rd of 156 countries worldwide, with 1% of world exports. The value was up 10% on 2023.
Which countries buy alcohol from South Africa?
Belgium was the largest buyer with 31% of the value ($106.7 million), followed by Germany (15%) and the United States (7%). The top three together account for 52%, out of 95 buyer countries in total. Nigeria grew fastest among the top ten, up 69% on the year.
What is the average export price of alcohol per kg?
The average declared export value was about $1.07 per kg in 2024, 91% above the world average of $0.56 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 exports of alcohol from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $294.8 million in 2017 to $348.5 million in 2024, an increase of 18%. The peak was 2022 at $416.4 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import alcohol?
Yes. South Africa imported $121.1 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Saudi Arabia, China and the Netherlands. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $227.4 million a year.
What is the HS code for alcohol?
The HS code for alcohol is heading 2905. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 2905.13 (52% of the value) and 2905.12 (37%). It sits in HS chapter 29 (organic chemicals). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 2905 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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