Corticosteroid medicines (packaged) imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $54.0 million of corticosteroid medicines (packaged) in 2024 (656 tonnes). Value rose 7% on 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2018, at $74.8 million.
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 | $54.0M | 656 t |
| 2023 | $50.5M | 553 t |
| 2022 | $56.9M | 1.4K t |
| 2021 | $69.0M | 576 t |
| 2020 | $62.1M | 576 t |
| 2019 | $60.7M | 635 t |
| 2018 | $74.8M | 645 t |
| 2017 | $68.3M | 620 t |
Where South Africa imports corticosteroid medicines (packaged) from
Most of the value came from Belgium (24%), Sweden (18%), United Kingdom (15%). Among the main suppliers, Belgium grew fastest (+105% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Belgium | $13.2M | 24% |
| Sweden | $9.9M | 18% |
| United Kingdom | $8.1M | 15% |
| India | $7.4M | 14% |
| Ireland | $4.5M | 8.4% |
| Italy | $2.9M | 5.4% |
| France | $2.2M | 4.1% |
| Spain | $1.9M | 3.5% |
| Germany | $1.2M | 2.2% |
| United States | $533K | 1% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $82.31 per kg, 40% below the world average of $137.60, which often means bulk or lower-grade product.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Corticosteroid medicines (packaged) exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $3.4 million of corticosteroid medicines (packaged) in 2024 (64 tonnes). Most of it went to Botswana (40%), Mauritius (17%), Namibia (15%). Among the main buyer markets, Eswatini grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Botswana | $1.3M | 40% |
| Mauritius | $571K | 17% |
| Namibia | $509K | 15% |
| Zimbabwe | $334K | 9.8% |
| Eswatini | $202K | 5.9% |
| Ghana | $171K | 5% |
| Kenya | $156K | 4.6% |
| Lesotho | $87K | 2.6% |
| Zambia | $12K | 0.4% |
| India | $11K | 0.3% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa corticosteroid medicines (packaged) imports (HS 3004.32): 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 3004.32: Medicaments: containing corticosteroid hormones, their derivatives or structural analogues (but not containing antibiotics), for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale.
Common questions
What is the value of corticosteroid medicines (packaged) imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported corticosteroid medicines (packaged) worth $54.0 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 656 tonnes. That ranks it 34th of 212 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 7% on 2023.
Which countries supply corticosteroid medicines (packaged) to South Africa?
Belgium was the largest supplier with 24% of the value ($13.2 million), followed by Sweden (18%) and the United Kingdom (15%). The top three together account for 58%, out of 24 supplier countries in total. Belgium grew fastest among the top ten, up 105% on the year.
What is the average import price of corticosteroid medicines (packaged) per kg?
The average declared import value was about $82.31 per kg in 2024, 40% below the world average of $137.60 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of corticosteroid medicines (packaged) to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $68.3 million in 2017 to $54.0 million in 2024, a fall of 21%. The peak was 2018 at $74.8 million. Over 8 years the average was $62.0 million a year.
Does South Africa also export corticosteroid medicines (packaged)?
Yes. South Africa exported $3.4 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Botswana, Mauritius and Namibia. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $50.6 million a year.
What is the HS code for corticosteroid medicines (packaged)?
The HS code for corticosteroid medicines (packaged) is subheading 3004.32. It sits in HS chapter 30 (pharmaceutical products). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 3004 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.
Same product, other countries
World corticosteroid medicines (packaged) trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for South Africa
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