Alkaline primary batteries exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
In 2024, South Africa exported alkaline primary batteries worth $10.7 million (691 tonnes). Its share of world exports was 2%. That is 23% more than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 8% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2017, at $19.3 million.
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 | $10.7M | 691 t |
| 2023 | $8.7M | 1.4K t |
| 2022 | $8.9M | 1.1K t |
| 2021 | $8.4M | 821 t |
| 2020 | $8.6M | 1.4K t |
| 2019 | $16.7M | 2.2K t |
| 2018 | $17.2M | 1.5K t |
| 2017 | $19.3M | 4.5K t |
Where South Africa exports alkaline primary batteries to
Most of it went to Botswana (43%), Namibia (14%), Tanzania (8%). Among the main buyer markets, Tanzania grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Botswana | $4.6M | 43% |
| Namibia | $1.5M | 14% |
| Tanzania | $875K | 8.2% |
| Eswatini | $832K | 7.8% |
| Lesotho | $602K | 5.6% |
| Mozambique | $463K | 4.3% |
| Norway | $382K | 3.6% |
| DR Congo | $326K | 3% |
| Zambia | $247K | 2.3% |
| Malawi | $229K | 2.1% |
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $15.53 per kg, 650% above the world average of $2.07. 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.
Alkaline primary batteries imports to South Africa
Imports of alkaline primary batteries by South Africa reached $5.4 million in 2024 (13.4 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. China alone supplied 65% of it. Among the main suppliers, India grew fastest (+114% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $3.5M | 65% |
| India | $898K | 17% |
| United States | $494K | 9.2% |
| United Kingdom | $128K | 2.4% |
| Sweden | $82K | 1.5% |
| Japan | $71K | 1.3% |
| Germany | $33K | 0.6% |
| Netherlands | $29K | 0.5% |
| Denmark | $17K | 0.3% |
| Zambia | $16K | 0.3% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa alkaline primary batteries exports (HS 8506.80): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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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 8506.80: Cells and batteries: primary, (other than manganese dioxide, mercuric oxide, silver oxide, lithium or air-zinc).
Common questions
What is the value of alkaline primary batteries exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported alkaline primary batteries worth $10.7 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 691 tonnes. That ranks it 15th of 156 countries worldwide, with 2% of world exports. The value was up 23% on 2023.
Which countries buy alkaline primary batteries from South Africa?
Botswana was the largest buyer with 43% of the value ($4.6 million), followed by Namibia (14%) and Tanzania (8%). The top three together account for 66%, out of 64 buyer countries in total. Lesotho grew fastest among the top ten, up 48% on the year.
What is the average export price of alkaline primary batteries per kg?
The average declared export value was about $15.53 per kg in 2024, 650% above the world average of $2.07 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have exports of alkaline primary batteries from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $19.3 million in 2017 to $10.7 million in 2024, a fall of 44%. The peak was 2017 at $19.3 million. Over 8 years the average was $12.3 million a year.
Does South Africa also import alkaline primary batteries?
Yes. South Africa imported $5.4 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from China, India and the United States. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $5.4 million a year.
What is the HS code for alkaline primary batteries?
The HS code for alkaline primary batteries is subheading 8506.80. It sits in HS chapter 85 (electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers; television image and sound recorders and reproducers, parts and accessories of such articles). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 8506 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
For South Africa, EximDataX reads the shipment records of the countries that trade with it and shows the companies on both sides. We can walk you through your product on a short call.
Same product, other countries
World alkaline primary batteries trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for South Africa
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