Coal exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
South Africa exported $7.75 billion of coal in 2024 (70.73 million tonnes). It ranks 6th of 123 countries for exports of this product. That is 21% less than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2022, at $14.08 billion.
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 | $7.75B | 70.73M t |
| 2023 | $9.82B | 76.10M t |
| 2022 | $14.08B | 73.37M t |
| 2021 | $7.46B | 69.75M t |
| 2020 | $6.21B | 101.30M t |
| 2019 | $7.13B | 83.31M t |
| 2018 | $7.87B | 84.76M t |
| 2017 | $6.40B | 107.16M t |
Where South Africa exports coal to
Most of it went to India (49%), South Korea (8%), Vietnam (5%). Among the main buyer markets, Vietnam grew fastest (+145% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| India | $3.79B | 49% |
| South Korea | $598.2M | 7.7% |
| Vietnam | $410.2M | 5.3% |
| Japan | $395.1M | 5.1% |
| Pakistan | $312.8M | 4% |
| Germany | $242.9M | 3.1% |
| Taiwan | $223.0M | 2.9% |
| Netherlands | $201.1M | 2.6% |
| United Arab Emirates | $187.1M | 2.4% |
| Mauritius | $173.4M | 2.2% |
Product types under HS 2701
| 2701.12 | Coal: bituminous, whether or not pulverised, but not agglomerated | 76% |
| 2701.19 | Coal: (other than anthracite and bituminous), whether or not pulverised but not agglomerated | 22% |
| 2701.11 | Coal: anthracite, whether or not pulverised, but not agglomerated | 1.6% |
| 2701.20 | Briquettes, ovoids and similar solid fuels: manufactured from coal | 0.3% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 2701.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.11 per kg, close to the world average of $0.13.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Coal imports to South Africa
South Africa imported $485.7 million of coal in 2024 (2.83 million tonnes). Most of the value came from Australia (47%), Eswatini (16%), United States (12%). Among the main suppliers, Australia grew fastest (+45% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | $228.6M | 47% |
| Eswatini | $76.9M | 16% |
| United States | $60.7M | 13% |
| Russia | $36.3M | 7.5% |
| Botswana | $30.9M | 6.4% |
| Mozambique | $30.8M | 6.4% |
| Vietnam | $15.5M | 3.2% |
| Belgium | $2.7M | 0.6% |
| Netherlands | $2.6M | 0.5% |
| Zimbabwe | $339K | 0.1% |
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
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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 2701: Coal; briquettes, ovoids and similar solid fuels manufactured from coal.
Common questions
What is the value of coal exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported coal worth $7.75 billion in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 70.73 million tonnes. That ranks it 6th of 123 countries worldwide, with 4% of world exports. The value was down 21% on 2023.
Which countries buy coal from South Africa?
India was the largest buyer with 49% of the value ($3.79 billion), followed by South Korea (8%) and Vietnam (5%). The top three together account for 62%, out of 76 buyer countries in total. Vietnam grew fastest among the top ten, up 145% on the year.
What is the average export price of coal per kg?
The average declared export value was about $0.11 per kg in 2024, 15% below the world average of $0.13 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 coal from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $6.40 billion in 2017 to $7.75 billion in 2024, an increase of 21%. The peak was 2022 at $14.08 billion. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import coal?
Yes. South Africa imported $485.7 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Australia, Eswatini and the United States. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $7.27 billion a year.
What is the HS code for coal?
The HS code for coal is heading 2701. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 2701.12 (76% of the value) and 2701.19 (22%). It sits in HS chapter 27 (mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation; bituminous substances; mineral waxes). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 2701 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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