Compound fertilizer exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
South Africa exported $246.9 million of compound fertilizer in 2024 (218.7 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. That is 64% more than in 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 | $246.9M | 218.7K t |
| 2023 | $150.3M | 176.0K t |
| 2022 | $162.4M | 147.0K t |
| 2021 | $112.4M | 130.9K t |
| 2020 | $183.6M | 202.1K t |
| 2019 | $112.9M | 132.3K t |
| 2018 | $128.3M | 154.7K t |
| 2017 | $164.0M | 253.1K t |
Where South Africa exports compound fertilizer to
The largest buyer markets were Zambia (49%), United States (16%), Zimbabwe (9%). Among the main buyer markets, United States grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zambia | $120.6M | 49% |
| United States | $40.1M | 16% |
| Zimbabwe | $22.2M | 9% |
| Namibia | $16.7M | 6.8% |
| Eswatini | $12.2M | 4.9% |
| Lesotho | $6.8M | 2.7% |
| Mozambique | $5.1M | 2.1% |
| Botswana | $4.6M | 1.9% |
| China | $2.3M | 0.9% |
| DR Congo | $2.0M | 0.8% |
Product types under HS 3105
| 3105.90 | Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: n.e.c. in heading no. 3105 | 59% |
| 3105.40 | Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: ammonium dihydrogenorthophosphate (monoammonium phosphate) and mixtures thereof with diammonium… | 25% |
| 3105.20 | Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: containing the three fertilizing elements nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium | 11% |
| 3105.60 | Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: containing the two fertilizing elements phosphorus and potassium | 2.6% |
| 3105.10 | Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: in tablets or similar forms or in packages of a gross weight not exceeding 10kg | 1.1% |
| 3105.51 | Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: containing nitrates and phosphates | 0.7% |
| 3105.59 | Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: containing the two fertilizing elements nitrogen and phosphorus, other than nitrates and phosphates | 0.7% |
| 3105.30 | Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: diammonium hydrogenorthophosphate (diammonium phosphate) | 0% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 3105.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.13 per kg, 95% above the world average of $0.58. 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.
Compound fertilizer imports to South Africa
South Africa imported $232.0 million of compound fertilizer in 2024 (381.4 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Russia alone supplied 68% of it. Among the main suppliers, Russia grew fastest (+73% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Russia | $157.6M | 68% |
| Saudi Arabia | $25.3M | 11% |
| China | $21.4M | 9.2% |
| Chile | $5.6M | 2.4% |
| United States | $4.9M | 2.1% |
| Israel | $4.1M | 1.8% |
| Spain | $2.1M | 0.9% |
| United Kingdom | $1.9M | 0.8% |
| France | $1.7M | 0.7% |
| Kenya | $1.1M | 0.5% |
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 3105: Fertilizers; mineral or chemical, containing 2 or 3 of the elements nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium; other fertilisers; goods of chapter 31 in tablets or packages of gross weight not exceeding 10kg.
Common questions
What is the value of compound fertilizer exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported compound fertilizer worth $246.9 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 218.7 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 24th of 159 countries worldwide, with 1% of world exports. The value was up 64% on 2023.
Which countries buy compound fertilizer from South Africa?
Zambia was the largest buyer with 49% of the value ($120.6 million), followed by the United States (16%) and Zimbabwe (9%). The top three together account for 74%, out of 83 buyer countries in total. Zambia grew fastest among the top ten, up 125% on the year.
What is the average export price of compound fertilizer per kg?
The average declared export value was about $1.13 per kg in 2024, 95% above the world average of $0.58 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 compound fertilizer from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $164.0 million in 2017 to $246.9 million in 2024, an increase of 51%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import compound fertilizer?
Yes. South Africa imported $232.0 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Russia, Saudi Arabia and China. That compares with exports of $246.9 million in the same year.
What is the HS code for compound fertilizer?
The HS code for compound fertilizer is heading 3105. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 3105.90 (59% of the value) and 3105.40 (25%). It sits in HS chapter 31 (fertilizers). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 3105 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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