Argon gas exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
Exports of argon gas by South Africa reached $2.0 million in 2024 (3.2 thousand tonnes). Value rose 9% on 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable.
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 | $2.0M | 3.2K t |
| 2023 | $1.9M | 2.9K t |
| 2022 | $1.8M | 3.4K t |
| 2021 | $1.6M | 3.6K t |
| 2020 | $1.2M | 2.9K t |
| 2019 | $1.6M | 5.7K t |
| 2018 | $1.5M | 3.9K t |
| 2017 | $1.2M | 3.2K t |
Where South Africa exports argon gas to
Most of it went to DR Congo (30%), Zambia (21%), Namibia (16%). Among the main buyer markets, Angola grew fastest (+98% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| DR Congo | $603K | 30% |
| Zambia | $429K | 21% |
| Namibia | $334K | 16% |
| Mozambique | $309K | 15% |
| Zimbabwe | $170K | 8.3% |
| Botswana | $98K | 4.8% |
| Angola | $51K | 2.5% |
| Malawi | $18K | 0.9% |
| Republic of the Congo | $9K | 0.4% |
| Lesotho | $7K | 0.3% |
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.64 per kg, close to the world average of $0.54.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa argon gas exports (HS 2804.21): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
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.
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 2804.21: Gases, rare: argon.
Common questions
What is the value of argon gas exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported argon gas worth $2.0 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 3.2 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 35th of 122 countries worldwide, with 0% of world exports. The value was up 9% on 2023.
Which countries buy argon gas from South Africa?
The DR Congo was the largest buyer with 30% of the value ($603 thousand), followed by Zambia (21%) and Namibia (16%). The top three together account for 67%, out of 17 buyer countries in total. Angola grew fastest among the top ten, up 98% on the year.
What is the average export price of argon gas per kg?
The average declared export value was about $0.64 per kg in 2024, 19% above the world average of $0.54 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have exports of argon gas from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $1.2 million in 2017 to $2.0 million in 2024, an increase of 64%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Over 8 years the average was $1.6 million a year.
What is the HS code for argon gas?
The HS code for argon gas is subheading 2804.21. 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 2804 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
More trade data for South Africa
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.