Cinnamon imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of cinnamon by South Africa reached $4.1 million in 2024 (1.5 thousand tonnes). That is 14% more than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 8% a year on average.
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 | $4.1M | 1.5K t |
| 2023 | $3.6M | 1.0K t |
| 2022 | $3.7M | 1.1K t |
| 2021 | $3.8M | 4.6K t |
| 2020 | $3.8M | 1.1K t |
| 2019 | $3.2M | 968 t |
| 2018 | $2.8M | 1.0K t |
| 2017 | $2.3M | 973 t |
Where South Africa imports cinnamon from
Most of the value came from Vietnam (32%), India (18%), China (17%). Among the main suppliers, Netherlands grew fastest (+87% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Vietnam | $1.3M | 32% |
| India | $740K | 18% |
| China | $680K | 17% |
| Singapore | $336K | 8.2% |
| Philippines | $282K | 6.9% |
| Sri Lanka | $275K | 6.8% |
| Indonesia | $180K | 4.4% |
| Netherlands | $174K | 4.3% |
| Bangladesh | $49K | 1.2% |
| United States | $22K | 0.5% |
Product types under HS 0906
| 0906.20 | Spices: cinnamon and cinnamon-tree flowers, crushed or ground | 67% |
| 0906.11 | Spices: cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume), neither crushed nor ground | 26% |
| 0906.19 | Spices: cinnamon and cinnamon-tree flowers, other than cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume), neither crushed nor ground | 7.4% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 0906.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $2.64 per kg, 36% below the world average of $4.10, 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.
Cinnamon exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $322 thousand of cinnamon in 2024 (96 tonnes). Most of it went to Botswana (26%), Namibia (26%), Eswatini (10%). Among the main buyer markets, Malawi grew fastest (+155% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Botswana | $85K | 26% |
| Namibia | $83K | 26% |
| Eswatini | $31K | 9.6% |
| Mozambique | $29K | 9% |
| Zimbabwe | $23K | 7.2% |
| Malawi | $21K | 6.4% |
| Lesotho | $8K | 2.4% |
| Zambia | $8K | 2.3% |
| Switzerland | $7K | 2.3% |
| Netherlands | $6K | 2% |
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 0906: Cinnamon and cinnamon-tree flowers.
Common questions
What is the value of cinnamon imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported cinnamon worth $4.1 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 1.5 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 41st of 210 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 14% on 2023.
Which countries supply cinnamon to South Africa?
Vietnam was the largest supplier with 32% of the value ($1.3 million), followed by India (18%) and China (17%). The top three together account for 67%, out of 22 supplier countries in total. The United States grew fastest among the top ten, up 867% on the year.
What is the average import price of cinnamon per kg?
The average declared import value was about $2.64 per kg in 2024, 36% below the world average of $4.10 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 cinnamon to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $2.3 million in 2017 to $4.1 million in 2024, an increase of 75%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export cinnamon?
Yes. South Africa exported $322 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Botswana, Namibia and Eswatini. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $3.8 million a year.
What is the HS code for cinnamon?
The HS code for cinnamon is heading 0906. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 0906.20 (67% of the value) and 0906.11 (26%). It sits in HS chapter 09 (coffee, tea, mate and spices). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 0906 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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