Alkaloid imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $17.8 million of alkaloid in 2024 (582 tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Value rose 22% on 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2019, at $23.5 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 | $17.8M | 582 t |
| 2023 | $14.6M | 374 t |
| 2022 | $20.7M | 625 t |
| 2021 | $13.1M | 490 t |
| 2020 | $14.7M | 323 t |
| 2019 | $23.5M | 293 t |
| 2018 | $14.9M | 343 t |
| 2017 | $12.8M | 634 t |
Where South Africa imports alkaloid from
Most of the value came from China (37%), Spain (21%), Germany (12%). Among the main suppliers, Australia grew fastest (+172% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $6.5M | 37% |
| Spain | $3.8M | 21% |
| Germany | $2.0M | 12% |
| India | $1.8M | 10% |
| Italy | $762K | 4.3% |
| Australia | $580K | 3.3% |
| Netherlands | $524K | 3% |
| Poland | $453K | 2.5% |
| Denmark | $288K | 1.6% |
| United States | $171K | 1% |
Product types under HS 2939
| 2939.30 | Alkaloids: caffeine and its salts | 34% |
| 2939.79 | Alkaloids: of vegetal origin, other than cocaine, ecgonine, levometamfetamine, metamfetamine (INN), metamfetamine racemate: salts, esters and other… | 31% |
| 2939.11 | Alkaloids: of opium and their derivatives: salts thereof | 14% |
| 2939.42 | Alkaloids: pseudoephedrine (INN) and its salts | 9.5% |
| 2939.19 | Alkaloids: of opium and their derivatives: other than in 2939.11, salts thereof | 3.4% |
| 2939.20 | Alkaloids: of cinchona and their derivatives: salts thereof | 3.2% |
| 2939.80 | Alkaloids: natural or reproduced by synthesis, and their salts, esters and other derivatives n.e.c. in heading no. 2939 | 2.3% |
| 2939.59 | Alkaloids: theophylline and aminophylline (theophylline-ethylenediamine) and their derivatives: salts thereof, other than fenetylline | 1.4% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 2939.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $30.57 per kg, 33% below the world average of $45.72, 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.
Alkaloid exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $4.6 million of alkaloid in 2024 (34 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were United States (37%), Australia (34%), Canada (14%). Among the main buyer markets, United Kingdom grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $1.7M | 37% |
| Australia | $1.6M | 34% |
| Canada | $652K | 14% |
| United Kingdom | $183K | 4% |
| Colombia | $135K | 3% |
| India | $98K | 2.1% |
| Zimbabwe | $49K | 1.1% |
| South Korea | $45K | 1% |
| Netherlands | $35K | 0.8% |
| Kenya | $20K | 0.4% |
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 2939: Alkaloids; natural or reproduced by synthesis, and their salts, ethers, esters and other derivatives.
Common questions
What is the value of alkaloid imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported alkaloid worth $17.8 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 582 tonnes. That ranks it 32nd of 190 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 22% on 2023.
Which countries supply alkaloid to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 37% of the value ($6.5 million), followed by Spain (21%) and Germany (12%). The top three together account for 69%, out of 39 supplier countries in total. Australia grew fastest among the top ten, up 172% on the year.
What is the average import price of alkaloid per kg?
The average declared import value was about $30.57 per kg in 2024, 33% below the world average of $45.72 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 alkaloid to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $12.8 million in 2017 to $17.8 million in 2024, an increase of 39%. The peak was 2019 at $23.5 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export alkaloid?
Yes. South Africa exported $4.6 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to the United States, Australia and Canada. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $13.2 million a year.
What is the HS code for alkaloid?
The HS code for alkaloid is heading 2939. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 2939.30 (34% of the value) and 2939.79 (31%). It sits in HS chapter 29 (organic chemicals). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 2939 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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