Gluconic acid imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported gluconic acid worth $2.7 million (2.6 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. That is 16% more than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 9% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2021, at $3.5 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 | $2.7M | 2.6K t |
| 2023 | $2.3M | 2.4K t |
| 2022 | $2.1M | 1.4K t |
| 2021 | $3.5M | 2.5K t |
| 2020 | $2.0M | 1.4K t |
| 2019 | $1.8M | 1.6K t |
| 2018 | $2.2M | 2.2K t |
| 2017 | $1.5M | 1.5K t |
Where South Africa imports gluconic acid from
One supplier dominates: China accounted for 63% of the value. Among the main suppliers, India grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $1.7M | 63% |
| Eswatini | $295K | 11% |
| India | $174K | 6.5% |
| Germany | $156K | 5.8% |
| Netherlands | $124K | 4.6% |
| United States | $95K | 3.5% |
| Italy | $52K | 1.9% |
| France | $47K | 1.7% |
| Belgium | $21K | 0.8% |
| Poland | $18K | 0.7% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.05 per kg, close to the world average of $0.99.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa gluconic acid imports (HS 2918.16): 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 2918.16: Acids: carboxylic acids, (with alcohol function but without other oxygen function), gluconic acid, its salts and esters.
Common questions
What is the value of gluconic acid imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported gluconic acid worth $2.7 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 2.6 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 32nd of 164 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 16% on 2023.
Which countries supply gluconic acid to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 63% of the value ($1.7 million), followed by Eswatini (11%) and India (6%). The top three together account for 80%, out of 15 supplier countries in total. Belgium grew fastest among the top ten, up 279% on the year.
What is the average import price of gluconic acid per kg?
The average declared import value was about $1.05 per kg in 2024, 6% above the world average of $0.99 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of gluconic acid to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $1.5 million in 2017 to $2.7 million in 2024, an increase of 78%. The peak was 2021 at $3.5 million. Over 8 years the average was $2.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for gluconic acid?
The HS code for gluconic acid is subheading 2918.16. It sits in HS chapter 29 (organic chemicals). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 2918 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.
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