Ether imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of ether by South Africa reached $49.7 million in 2024 (27.5 thousand tonnes). Value rose 13% on 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 | $49.7M | 27.5K t |
| 2023 | $43.9M | 189.0K t |
| 2022 | $55.1M | 26.9K t |
| 2021 | $58.4M | 27.0K t |
| 2020 | $32.6M | 22.5K t |
| 2019 | $41.2M | 25.9K t |
| 2018 | $50.5M | 30.0K t |
| 2017 | $39.1M | 24.4K t |
Where South Africa imports ether from
Most of the value came from Germany (35%), China (25%), Saudi Arabia (10%). Among the main suppliers, Germany grew fastest (+40% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | $17.4M | 35% |
| China | $12.5M | 25% |
| Saudi Arabia | $5.1M | 10% |
| United States | $3.2M | 6.5% |
| India | $2.8M | 5.7% |
| Belgium | $1.7M | 3.4% |
| Netherlands | $1.7M | 3.4% |
| Taiwan | $1.5M | 3% |
| France | $967K | 2% |
| Brazil | $699K | 1.4% |
Product types under HS 2909
| 2909.49 | Ether-alcohols and their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives: n.e.c. in item no. 2909.4 | 46% |
| 2909.43 | Ether-alcohols and their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives: monobutyl ethers of ethylene glycol or of diethylene glycol | 21% |
| 2909.60 | Alcohol peroxides, ether peroxides, ketone peroxides and their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives | 7.6% |
| 2909.19 | Ethers: acyclic, and their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives, other than diethyl ether | 7.6% |
| 2909.41 | Ether-alcohols and their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives: 2,2-oxydiethanol (diethylene glycol, digol) | 7.1% |
| 2909.44 | Ether-alcohols and their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives: monoalkylethers of ethylene glycol or of diethylene glycol… | 4% |
| 2909.30 | Ethers: aromatic, and their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives | 3.1% |
| 2909.50 | Ether-phenols, ether-alcohol-phenols and their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives | 2.3% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 2909.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.80 per kg, 49% above the world average of $1.21. 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.
Ether exports from South Africa
Exports of ether by South Africa reached $6.7 million in 2024 (2.4 thousand tonnes). Most of it went to Morocco (45%), DR Congo (12%), Saudi Arabia (9%). Among the main buyer markets, Morocco grew fastest (+574% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Morocco | $3.0M | 45% |
| DR Congo | $834K | 13% |
| Saudi Arabia | $602K | 9% |
| Zimbabwe | $417K | 6.3% |
| Zambia | $298K | 4.5% |
| Brazil | $215K | 3.2% |
| Botswana | $187K | 2.8% |
| Namibia | $170K | 2.6% |
| Kazakhstan | $144K | 2.2% |
| Senegal | $126K | 1.9% |
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 2909: Ethers, ether-alcohols, ether-phenols, ether-alcohol-phenols, alcohol peroxides, ether peroxides, acetal and hemiacetal peroxides, ketone peroxides (chemically defined or not), and their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives.
Common questions
What is the value of ether imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported ether worth $49.7 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 27.5 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 38th of 201 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 13% on 2023.
Which countries supply ether to South Africa?
Germany was the largest supplier with 35% of the value ($17.4 million), followed by China (25%) and Saudi Arabia (10%). The top three together account for 70%, out of 36 supplier countries in total. Germany grew fastest among the top ten, up 40% on the year.
What is the average import price of ether per kg?
The average declared import value was about $1.80 per kg in 2024, 49% above the world average of $1.21 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 imports of ether to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $39.1 million in 2017 to $49.7 million in 2024, an increase of 27%. The peak was 2021 at $58.4 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export ether?
Yes. South Africa exported $6.7 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Morocco, the DR Congo and Saudi Arabia. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $43.0 million a year.
What is the HS code for ether?
The HS code for ether is heading 2909. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 2909.49 (46% of the value) and 2909.43 (21%). It sits in HS chapter 29 (organic chemicals). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 2909 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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