Clay exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
Exports of clay by South Africa reached $53.7 million in 2024 (136.3 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 2%. Value fell 4% from 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 | $53.7M | 136.3K t |
| 2023 | $55.7M | 118.3K t |
| 2022 | $60.1M | 144.8K t |
| 2021 | $51.8M | 131.3K t |
| 2020 | $47.8M | 138.6K t |
| 2019 | $57.6M | 172.0K t |
| 2018 | $56.9M | 175.2K t |
| 2017 | $51.7M | 159.0K t |
Where South Africa exports clay to
The largest buyer markets were Germany (13%), Turkey (11%), China (11%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 35%. Among the main buyer markets, South Korea grew fastest (+88% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | $7.0M | 13% |
| Turkey | $6.0M | 11% |
| China | $5.8M | 11% |
| Spain | $4.3M | 8% |
| India | $4.2M | 7.7% |
| Poland | $3.1M | 5.9% |
| Japan | $2.9M | 5.5% |
| South Korea | $2.9M | 5.4% |
| Belgium | $2.5M | 4.6% |
| United States | $1.6M | 3% |
Product types under HS 2508
| 2508.50 | Clays (excluding expanded clays of heading no. 6806): andalusite, kyanite and sillimanite, whether or not calcined | 90% |
| 2508.10 | Clays (excluding expanded clays of heading no. 6806): bentonite, whether or not calcined | 5.2% |
| 2508.40 | Clays (excluding expanded clays of heading no. 6806): n.e.c. in heading no. 2508, whether or not calcined | 2.9% |
| 2508.30 | Clays (excluding expanded clays of heading no. 6806): fireclay, whether or not calcined | 1.7% |
| 2508.70 | Clays (excluding expanded clays of heading no. 6806): chamotte or dinas earths | 0% |
| 2508.60 | Clays (excluding expanded clays of heading no. 6806): mullite | 0% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 2508.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.39 per kg, 129% above the world average of $0.17. This usually points to higher-grade or processed goods.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Clay imports to South Africa
In 2024, South Africa imported clay worth $16.5 million (89.0 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Most of the value came from India (27%), United States (20%), Brazil (18%). Among the main suppliers, United Kingdom grew fastest (+48% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| India | $4.5M | 27% |
| United States | $3.2M | 20% |
| Brazil | $2.9M | 18% |
| Egypt | $1.2M | 7.4% |
| China | $1.1M | 6.9% |
| Spain | $883K | 5.4% |
| Mozambique | $820K | 5% |
| United Kingdom | $807K | 4.9% |
| Poland | $151K | 0.9% |
| Turkey | $149K | 0.9% |
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 2508: Clays; (not including expanded clays of heading no. 6806), andalusite kyanite and sillimanite, whether or not calcined; mullite; chamotte or dinas earth.
Common questions
What is the value of clay exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported clay worth $53.7 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 136.3 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 12th of 160 countries worldwide, with 2% of world exports. The value was down 4% on 2023.
Which countries buy clay from South Africa?
Germany was the largest buyer with 13% of the value ($7.0 million), followed by Turkey (11%) and China (11%). The top three together account for 35%, out of 71 buyer countries in total. South Korea grew fastest among the top ten, up 88% on the year.
What is the average export price of clay per kg?
The average declared export value was about $0.39 per kg in 2024, 129% above the world average of $0.17 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 clay from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $51.7 million in 2017 to $53.7 million in 2024, an increase of 4%. The peak was 2022 at $60.1 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import clay?
Yes. South Africa imported $16.5 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from India, the United States and Brazil. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $37.2 million a year.
What is the HS code for clay?
The HS code for clay is heading 2508. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 2508.50 (90% of the value) and 2508.10 (5%). It sits in HS chapter 25 (salt; sulphur; earths, stone; plastering materials, lime and cement). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 2508 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.
More trade data for South Africa
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