Aluminium oxide imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $676.2 million of aluminium oxide in 2024 (1.47 million tonnes). Its share of world imports was 3%. That is 30% more than in 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 | $676.2M | 1.47M t |
| 2023 | $519.5M | 1.41M t |
| 2022 | $556.9M | 1.33M t |
| 2021 | $495.6M | 1.76M t |
| 2020 | $406.0M | 1.38M t |
| 2019 | $515.6M | 1.39M t |
| 2018 | $703.2M | 1.44M t |
| 2017 | $510.7M | 1.41M t |
Where South Africa imports aluminium oxide from
Australia alone supplied 97% of it. Among the main suppliers, Australia grew fastest (+31% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | $654.7M | 97% |
| China | $8.0M | 1.2% |
| Germany | $3.5M | 0.5% |
| United States | $1.8M | 0.3% |
| India | $1.6M | 0.2% |
| Turkey | $1.6M | 0.2% |
| France | $1.0M | 0.2% |
| Netherlands | $706K | 0.1% |
| Bahrain | $698K | 0.1% |
| Slovenia | $632K | 0.1% |
Product types under HS 2818
| 2818.20 | Aluminium oxide: other than artificial corundum | 98% |
| 2818.30 | Aluminium hydroxide | 0.9% |
| 2818.10 | Aluminium oxide: artificial corundum | 0.8% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 2818.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.46 per kg, close to the world average of $0.50.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Aluminium oxide exports from South Africa
Exports of aluminium oxide by South Africa reached $1.8 million in 2024 (585 tonnes). Most of it went to Finland (44%), Canada (13%), Netherlands (10%). Among the main buyer markets, Austria grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Finland | $818K | 44% |
| Canada | $241K | 13% |
| Netherlands | $185K | 10% |
| Italy | $96K | 5.2% |
| United States | $68K | 3.7% |
| Indonesia | $64K | 3.5% |
| Austria | $59K | 3.2% |
| United Kingdom | $41K | 2.2% |
| Brazil | $40K | 2.2% |
| India | $24K | 1.3% |
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 2818: Aluminium oxide (including artificial corundum); aluminium hydroxide.
Common questions
What is the value of aluminium oxide imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported aluminium oxide worth $676.2 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 1.47 million tonnes. That ranks it 11th of 180 countries worldwide, with 3% of world imports. The value was up 30% on 2023.
Which countries supply aluminium oxide to South Africa?
Australia was the largest supplier with 97% of the value ($654.7 million), followed by China (1%) and Germany (1%). The top three together account for 99%, out of 30 supplier countries in total. Bahrain grew fastest among the top ten, up 806% on the year.
What is the average import price of aluminium oxide per kg?
The average declared import value was about $0.46 per kg in 2024, 8% below the world average of $0.50 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 aluminium oxide to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $510.7 million in 2017 to $676.2 million in 2024, an increase of 32%. The peak was 2018 at $703.2 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export aluminium oxide?
Yes. South Africa exported $1.8 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Finland, Canada and the Netherlands. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $674.4 million a year.
What is the HS code for aluminium oxide?
The HS code for aluminium oxide is heading 2818. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 2818.20 (98% of the value) and 2818.30 (1%). It sits in HS chapter 28 (inorganic chemicals; organic and inorganic compounds of precious metals; of rare earth metals, of radio-active elements and of isotopes). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 2818 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
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