Coal (other types) exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
Exports of coal (other types) by South Africa reached $1.68 billion in 2024 (19.30 million tonnes). It ranks 6th of 105 countries for exports of this product. That is 24% less than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2019, at $2.81 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 | $1.68B | 19.30M t |
| 2023 | $2.23B | 21.61M t |
| 2022 | $2.64B | 17.74M t |
| 2021 | $1.32B | 14.52M t |
| 2020 | $2.73B | 41.50M t |
| 2019 | $2.81B | 19.33M t |
| 2018 | $1.46B | 18.74M t |
| 2017 | $1.17B | 39.03M t |
Where South Africa exports coal (other types) to
One buyer market dominates: India accounted for 71% of the value. Among the main buyer markets, Mauritius grew fastest (+66% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| India | $1.19B | 71% |
| Morocco | $100.2M | 6% |
| Mauritius | $92.7M | 5.5% |
| Vietnam | $41.5M | 2.5% |
| Kenya | $37.8M | 2.2% |
| United Arab Emirates | $33.4M | 2% |
| Pakistan | $28.9M | 1.7% |
| Netherlands | $24.5M | 1.5% |
| Mozambique | $14.5M | 0.9% |
| Senegal | $13.7M | 0.8% |
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.09 per kg, close to the world average of $0.10.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Coal (other types) imports to South Africa
South Africa imported $281.2 million of coal (other types) in 2024 (1.25 million tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. The largest suppliers were Australia (45%), Eswatini (27%), United States (12%). Among the main suppliers, Australia grew fastest (+86% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | $127.3M | 45% |
| Eswatini | $76.4M | 27% |
| United States | $33.1M | 12% |
| Russia | $21.7M | 7.7% |
| Mozambique | $12.8M | 4.6% |
| Vietnam | $3.6M | 1.3% |
| Belgium | $2.7M | 1% |
| Netherlands | $2.6M | 0.9% |
| Botswana | $782K | 0.3% |
| Zimbabwe | $21K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa coal (other types) exports (HS 2701.19): 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 2701.19: Coal: (other than anthracite and bituminous), whether or not pulverised but not agglomerated.
Common questions
What is the value of coal (other types) exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported coal (other types) worth $1.68 billion in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 19.30 million tonnes. That ranks it 6th of 105 countries worldwide, with 3% of world exports. The value was down 24% on 2023.
Which countries buy coal (other types) from South Africa?
India was the largest buyer with 71% of the value ($1.19 billion), followed by Morocco (6%) and Mauritius (6%). The top three together account for 82%, out of 56 buyer countries in total. Vietnam grew fastest among the top ten, up 335% on the year.
What is the average export price of coal (other types) per kg?
The average declared export value was about $0.09 per kg in 2024, 10% below the world average of $0.10 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have exports of coal (other types) from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $1.17 billion in 2017 to $1.68 billion in 2024, an increase of 43%. The peak was 2019 at $2.81 billion. Over 8 years the average was $2.00 billion a year.
Does South Africa also import coal (other types)?
Yes. South Africa imported $281.2 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 $1.40 billion a year.
What is the HS code for coal (other types)?
The HS code for coal (other types) is subheading 2701.19. 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?
EximDataX rebuilds South Africa trade from the customs records of its trading partners, so the companies shipping to and from it are visible. Ask for a live look at your product.
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