Alkaloid medicines (packaged) imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $29.0 million of alkaloid medicines (packaged) in 2024 (1.1 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Value rose 26% on 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 | $29.0M | 1.1K t |
| 2023 | $23.1M | 722 t |
| 2022 | $26.7M | 951 t |
| 2021 | $21.3M | 804 t |
| 2020 | $19.9M | 903 t |
| 2019 | $15.9M | 722 t |
| 2018 | $19.4M | 891 t |
| 2017 | $19.2M | 900 t |
Where South Africa imports alkaloid medicines (packaged) from
India alone supplied 61% of it. Among the main suppliers, Switzerland grew fastest (+261% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| India | $17.6M | 61% |
| United Kingdom | $5.9M | 20% |
| Germany | $1.4M | 4.9% |
| Switzerland | $1.3M | 4.6% |
| Italy | $1.2M | 4.2% |
| Netherlands | $330K | 1.1% |
| Spain | $216K | 0.7% |
| France | $202K | 0.7% |
| North Macedonia | $190K | 0.7% |
| Israel | $148K | 0.5% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $26.48 per kg, 71% below the world average of $90.44, 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 medicines (packaged) exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $3.4 million of alkaloid medicines (packaged) in 2024 (154 tonnes). Zimbabwe alone took 55% of it. Among the main buyer markets, Eswatini grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zimbabwe | $1.9M | 55% |
| United States | $494K | 15% |
| Eswatini | $260K | 7.7% |
| Nigeria | $237K | 7% |
| Namibia | $198K | 5.9% |
| Botswana | $120K | 3.6% |
| Mauritius | $43K | 1.3% |
| India | $23K | 0.7% |
| DR Congo | $21K | 0.6% |
| Tanzania | $19K | 0.6% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa alkaloid medicines (packaged) imports (HS 3004.49): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
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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 3004.49: Medicaments: containing alkaloids or their derivatives: other than ephedrine, pseudoephedrine (INN) or norephedrine or their salts: for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale.
Common questions
What is the value of alkaloid medicines (packaged) imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported alkaloid medicines (packaged) worth $29.0 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 1.1 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 34th of 213 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 26% on 2023.
Which countries supply alkaloid medicines (packaged) to South Africa?
India was the largest supplier with 61% of the value ($17.6 million), followed by the United Kingdom (20%) and Germany (5%). The top three together account for 86%, out of 22 supplier countries in total. Switzerland grew fastest among the top ten, up 261% on the year.
What is the average import price of alkaloid medicines (packaged) per kg?
The average declared import value was about $26.48 per kg in 2024, 71% below the world average of $90.44 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of alkaloid medicines (packaged) to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $19.2 million in 2017 to $29.0 million in 2024, an increase of 51%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Over 8 years the average was $21.8 million a year.
Does South Africa also export alkaloid medicines (packaged)?
Yes. South Africa exported $3.4 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Zimbabwe, the United States and Eswatini. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $25.7 million a year.
What is the HS code for alkaloid medicines (packaged)?
The HS code for alkaloid medicines (packaged) is subheading 3004.49. It sits in HS chapter 30 (pharmaceutical products). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 3004 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
The totals here are public statistics; EximDataX adds the company names by reading partner countries' customs records for South Africa. Tell us your product to see it live.
Same product, other countries
World alkaloid medicines (packaged) trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for South Africa
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