Aluminium ingots exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
Exports of aluminium ingots by South Africa reached $2.26 billion in 2024 (890.9 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 3%. That is 7% more than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 10% a year on average.
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 | $2.26B | 890.9K t |
| 2023 | $2.11B | 807.6K t |
| 2022 | $1.81B | 693.1K t |
| 2021 | $1.74B | 694.6K t |
| 2020 | $1.30B | 645.1K t |
| 2019 | $1.08B | 578.6K t |
| 2018 | $1.24B | 542.4K t |
| 2017 | $1.13B | 560.6K t |
Where South Africa exports aluminium ingots to
Most of it went to Mexico (21%), United States (18%), Netherlands (12%). Among the main buyer markets, Greece grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico | $483.2M | 21% |
| United States | $410.5M | 18% |
| Netherlands | $271.1M | 12% |
| Japan | $243.8M | 11% |
| Greece | $117.5M | 5.2% |
| Thailand | $110.5M | 4.9% |
| United Kingdom | $64.1M | 2.8% |
| Poland | $56.3M | 2.5% |
| Malaysia | $53.6M | 2.4% |
| Italy | $43.5M | 1.9% |
Product types under HS 7601
| 7601.10 | Aluminium: unwrought, (not alloyed) | 93% |
| 7601.20 | Aluminium: unwrought, alloys | 7% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 7601.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $2.54 per kg, close to the world average of $2.57.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Aluminium ingots imports to South Africa
In 2024, South Africa imported aluminium ingots worth $62.9 million (24.5 thousand tonnes). Most of the value came from Bahrain (41%), India (17%), United Arab Emirates (14%). Among the main suppliers, Qatar grew fastest (+949% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Bahrain | $25.6M | 41% |
| India | $10.9M | 17% |
| United Arab Emirates | $8.5M | 14% |
| Qatar | $5.6M | 8.9% |
| South Korea | $3.8M | 6% |
| Australia | $2.7M | 4.2% |
| Vietnam | $2.5M | 3.9% |
| China | $1.5M | 2.3% |
| Oman | $537K | 0.9% |
| Indonesia | $510K | 0.8% |
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 7601: Aluminium; unwrought.
Common questions
What is the value of aluminium ingots exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported aluminium ingots worth $2.26 billion in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 890.9 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 11th of 161 countries worldwide, with 3% of world exports. The value was up 7% on 2023.
Which countries buy aluminium ingots from South Africa?
Mexico was the largest buyer with 21% of the value ($483.2 million), followed by the United States (18%) and the Netherlands (12%). The top three together account for 51%, out of 63 buyer countries in total. The United Kingdom grew fastest among the top ten, up 78% on the year.
What is the average export price of aluminium ingots per kg?
The average declared export value was about $2.54 per kg in 2024, close to the world average of $2.57 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 aluminium ingots from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $1.13 billion in 2017 to $2.26 billion in 2024, an increase of 101%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import aluminium ingots?
Yes. South Africa imported $62.9 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Bahrain, India and the United Arab Emirates. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $2.20 billion a year.
What is the HS code for aluminium ingots?
The HS code for aluminium ingots is heading 7601. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 7601.10 (93% of the value) and 7601.20 (7%). It sits in HS chapter 76 (aluminium and articles thereof). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 7601 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.
See what your buyers are buying.Then decide.
Everything we show you comes from official customs filings — records, not claims. 30 minutes. Your shipment. Your HS code. Real platform. If you don’t see something new about your market by the end of the call, we walk away. No follow-ups.