Clay (other types) imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $2.6 million of clay (other types) in 2024 (4.1 thousand tonnes). Value fell 6% from 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 | $2.6M | 4.1K t |
| 2023 | $2.8M | 4.4K t |
| 2022 | $2.2M | 4.1K t |
| 2021 | $1.5M | 2.7K t |
| 2020 | $1.1M | 2.3K t |
| 2019 | $2.0M | 5.1K t |
| 2018 | $2.3M | 4.9K t |
| 2017 | $2.6M | 5.1K t |
Where South Africa imports clay (other types) from
One supplier dominates: United States accounted for 56% of the value. Among the main suppliers, Spain grew fastest (+60% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $1.5M | 56% |
| Spain | $786K | 30% |
| United Kingdom | $142K | 5.4% |
| China | $87K | 3.3% |
| India | $67K | 2.5% |
| France | $21K | 0.8% |
| Pakistan | $11K | 0.4% |
| Italy | $10K | 0.4% |
| Portugal | $10K | 0.4% |
| Austria | $9K | 0.3% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.65 per kg, 400% above the world average of $0.13. 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 (other types) exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $1.5 million of clay (other types) in 2024 (17.9 thousand tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Mozambique (18%), Namibia (16%), Zambia (13%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 46%. Among the main buyer markets, Mozambique grew fastest (+786% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Mozambique | $277K | 18% |
| Namibia | $243K | 16% |
| Zambia | $193K | 13% |
| Zimbabwe | $155K | 10% |
| Italy | $143K | 9.3% |
| United States | $126K | 8.2% |
| Japan | $101K | 6.6% |
| DR Congo | $70K | 4.6% |
| Angola | $66K | 4.3% |
| Kenya | $43K | 2.8% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa clay (other types) imports (HS 2508.40): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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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 2508.40: Clays (excluding expanded clays of heading no. 6806): n.e.c. in heading no. 2508, whether or not calcined.
Common questions
What is the value of clay (other types) imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported clay (other types) worth $2.6 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 4.1 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 40th of 195 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 6% on 2023.
Which countries supply clay (other types) to South Africa?
The United States was the largest supplier with 56% of the value ($1.5 million), followed by Spain (30%) and the United Kingdom (5%). The top three together account for 92%, out of 33 supplier countries in total. India grew fastest among the top ten, up 416% on the year.
What is the average import price of clay (other types) per kg?
The average declared import value was about $0.65 per kg in 2024, 400% above the world average of $0.13 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of clay (other types) to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $2.6 million in 2017 to $2.6 million in 2024, an increase of 3%. The peak was 2023 at $2.8 million. Over 8 years the average was $2.2 million a year.
Does South Africa also export clay (other types)?
Yes. South Africa exported $1.5 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Mozambique, Namibia and Zambia. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $1.1 million a year.
What is the HS code for clay (other types)?
The HS code for clay (other types) is subheading 2508.40. 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?
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.
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