Fatty acid exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
South Africa exported $137.8 million of fatty acid in 2024 (83.2 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. Value fell 4% from 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 | $137.8M | 83.2K t |
| 2023 | $142.9M | 85.0K t |
| 2022 | $171.0M | 100.8K t |
| 2021 | $161.1M | 108.6K t |
| 2020 | $110.0M | 96.4K t |
| 2019 | $122.3M | 101.2K t |
| 2018 | $136.1M | 102.9K t |
| 2017 | $141.3M | 142.5K t |
Where South Africa exports fatty acid to
The largest buyer markets were United States (36%), China (25%), Singapore (13%). Among the main buyer markets, Ireland grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $49.1M | 36% |
| China | $34.7M | 25% |
| Singapore | $17.4M | 13% |
| Belgium | $12.3M | 8.9% |
| Japan | $11.5M | 8.3% |
| Ireland | $3.3M | 2.4% |
| Malaysia | $2.3M | 1.7% |
| Zimbabwe | $2.0M | 1.5% |
| Slovakia | $1.5M | 1.1% |
| Netherlands | $970K | 0.7% |
Product types under HS 3823
| 3823.70 | Industrial fatty alcohols | 94% |
| 3823.19 | Industrial monocarboxylic fatty acids: acid oils from refining: (other than stearic acid, oleic acid or tall oil fatty acids) | 5.1% |
| 3823.13 | Industrial monocarboxylic fatty acids, acid oils from refining: tall oil fatty acids | 0.4% |
| 3823.12 | Industrial monocarboxylic fatty acids, acid oils from refining: oleic acid | 0.1% |
| 3823.11 | Industrial monocarboxylic fatty acids, acid oils from refining: stearic acid | 0.1% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 3823.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.66 per kg, 34% above the world average of $1.24. 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.
Fatty acid imports to South Africa
Imports of fatty acid by South Africa reached $45.6 million in 2024 (40.8 thousand tonnes). Most of the value came from Indonesia (30%), Malaysia (29%), India (18%). Among the main suppliers, Turkey grew fastest (+516% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Indonesia | $13.9M | 31% |
| Malaysia | $13.1M | 29% |
| India | $8.0M | 18% |
| United States | $1.7M | 3.7% |
| Finland | $1.2M | 2.7% |
| Thailand | $966K | 2.1% |
| Turkey | $863K | 1.9% |
| Netherlands | $764K | 1.7% |
| Germany | $691K | 1.5% |
| Iraq | $555K | 1.2% |
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 3823: Industrial monocarboxylic fatty acids; acid oils from refining; industrial fatty alcohols.
Common questions
What is the value of fatty acid exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported fatty acid worth $137.8 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 83.2 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 15th of 141 countries worldwide, with 1% of world exports. The value was down 4% on 2023.
Which countries buy fatty acid from South Africa?
The United States was the largest buyer with 36% of the value ($49.1 million), followed by China (25%) and Singapore (13%). The top three together account for 73%, out of 39 buyer countries in total. Zimbabwe grew fastest among the top ten, up 84% on the year.
What is the average export price of fatty acid per kg?
The average declared export value was about $1.66 per kg in 2024, 34% above the world average of $1.24 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 fatty acid from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $141.3 million in 2017 to $137.8 million in 2024, a fall of 2%. The peak was 2022 at $171.0 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import fatty acid?
Yes. South Africa imported $45.6 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Indonesia, Malaysia and India. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $92.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for fatty acid?
The HS code for fatty acid is heading 3823. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 3823.70 (94% of the value) and 3823.19 (5%). It sits in HS chapter 38 (chemical products n.e.c.). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 3823 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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