Aluminium sheet exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
In 2024, South Africa exported aluminium sheet worth $313.3 million (76.3 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. That is 17% less than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 5% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2018, at $558.3 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 | $313.3M | 76.3K t |
| 2023 | $377.4M | 91.7K t |
| 2022 | $480.7M | 111.5K t |
| 2021 | $449.6M | 109.9K t |
| 2020 | $335.5M | 105.1K t |
| 2019 | $422.7M | 123.4K t |
| 2018 | $558.3M | 147.4K t |
| 2017 | $452.7M | 130.8K t |
Where South Africa exports aluminium sheet to
The largest buyer markets were United States (21%), Belgium (15%), Germany (12%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 48%. Among the main buyer markets, Ireland grew fastest (+390% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $66.3M | 21% |
| Belgium | $46.4M | 15% |
| Germany | $38.3M | 12% |
| United Kingdom | $32.5M | 10% |
| Brazil | $21.5M | 6.9% |
| Netherlands | $21.0M | 6.7% |
| Australia | $13.3M | 4.3% |
| Austria | $12.2M | 3.9% |
| Ireland | $10.2M | 3.3% |
| Poland | $9.5M | 3% |
Product types under HS 7606
| 7606.12 | Aluminium: plates, sheets and strip, thickness exceeding 0.2mm, alloys, rectangular (including square) | 95% |
| 7606.92 | Aluminium: plates, sheets and strip, thickness exceeding 0.2mm, alloys, (not rectangular or square) | 3.2% |
| 7606.11 | Aluminium: plates, sheets and strip, thickness exceeding 0.2mm, (not alloyed), rectangular (including square) | 1.3% |
| 7606.91 | Aluminium: plates, sheets and strip, thickness exceeding 0.2mm, not alloyed, (not rectangular or square) | 0.7% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 7606.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $4.11 per kg, close to the world average of $3.79.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Aluminium sheet imports to South Africa
South Africa imported $197.9 million of aluminium sheet in 2024 (56.5 thousand tonnes). The largest suppliers were China (38%), South Korea (31%), France (11%). Among the main suppliers, South Korea grew fastest (+51% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $76.1M | 39% |
| South Korea | $61.7M | 31% |
| France | $21.9M | 11% |
| Thailand | $20.1M | 10% |
| Germany | $5.4M | 2.7% |
| Belgium | $2.8M | 1.4% |
| Turkey | $2.7M | 1.4% |
| Greece | $1.7M | 0.9% |
| India | $1.3M | 0.7% |
| Italy | $1.0M | 0.5% |
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 7606: Aluminium; plates, sheets and strip, thickness exceeding 0.2mm.
Common questions
What is the value of aluminium sheet exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported aluminium sheet worth $313.3 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 76.3 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 26th of 152 countries worldwide, with 1% of world exports. The value was down 17% on 2023.
Which countries buy aluminium sheet from South Africa?
The United States was the largest buyer with 21% of the value ($66.3 million), followed by Belgium (15%) and Germany (12%). The top three together account for 48%, out of 77 buyer countries in total. Ireland grew fastest among the top ten, up 390% on the year.
What is the average export price of aluminium sheet per kg?
The average declared export value was about $4.11 per kg in 2024, 8% above the world average of $3.79 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 sheet from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $452.7 million in 2017 to $313.3 million in 2024, a fall of 31%. The peak was 2018 at $558.3 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import aluminium sheet?
Yes. South Africa imported $197.9 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from China, South Korea and France. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $115.4 million a year.
What is the HS code for aluminium sheet?
The HS code for aluminium sheet is heading 7606. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 7606.12 (95% of the value) and 7606.92 (3%). It sits in HS chapter 76 (aluminium and articles thereof). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 7606 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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