Hardwood plywood imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of hardwood plywood by South Africa reached $10.9 million in 2024 (19.7 thousand tonnes). Value rose 4% 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 | $10.9M | 19.7K t |
| 2023 | $10.6M | 7.1K t |
| 2022 | $9.8M | 6.5K t |
| 2021 | $9.5M | 7.6K t |
| 2020 | $5.6M | 5.1K t |
| 2019 | $6.6M | 6.9K t |
| 2018 | $10.7M | 10.8K t |
| 2017 | $8.4M | 7.7K t |
Where South Africa imports hardwood plywood from
The largest suppliers were China (31%), Finland (22%), Spain (13%). Among the main suppliers, China grew fastest (+72% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $3.4M | 31% |
| Finland | $2.4M | 22% |
| Spain | $1.4M | 13% |
| Russia | $1.1M | 10% |
| Turkey | $682K | 6.2% |
| Latvia | $496K | 4.5% |
| United Arab Emirates | $393K | 3.6% |
| Estonia | $252K | 2.3% |
| Poland | $215K | 2% |
| Gabon | $139K | 1.3% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.56 per kg, 46% below the world average of $1.04, 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.
Hardwood plywood exports from South Africa
Exports of hardwood plywood by South Africa reached $600 thousand in 2024 (433 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Malawi (22%), Seychelles (18%), Zimbabwe (14%). Among the main buyer markets, Eswatini grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Malawi | $133K | 22% |
| Seychelles | $111K | 18% |
| Zimbabwe | $86K | 14% |
| Namibia | $59K | 9.9% |
| Canada | $48K | 8% |
| Botswana | $47K | 7.8% |
| Ghana | $40K | 6.6% |
| Zambia | $20K | 3.4% |
| Mozambique | $18K | 3% |
| Eswatini | $17K | 2.8% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa hardwood plywood imports (HS 4412.33): 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 4412.33: Plywood: with sheets of wood only: not bamboo: each ply 6mm or less, with at least one outer ply of alder, ash, beech, birch, cherry, chestnut, elm, eucalyptus, hickory, horse chestnut, lime, maple, oak, plane, poplar, aspen, robinia, tulipwood or walnut.
Common questions
What is the value of hardwood plywood imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported hardwood plywood worth $10.9 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 19.7 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 71st of 213 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 4% on 2023.
Which countries supply hardwood plywood to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 31% of the value ($3.4 million), followed by Finland (22%) and Spain (13%). The top three together account for 66%, out of 23 supplier countries in total. Gabon grew fastest among the top ten, up 217% on the year.
What is the average import price of hardwood plywood per kg?
The average declared import value was about $0.56 per kg in 2024, 46% below the world average of $1.04 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of hardwood plywood to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $8.4 million in 2017 to $10.9 million in 2024, an increase of 31%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Over 8 years the average was $9.0 million a year.
Does South Africa also export hardwood plywood?
Yes. South Africa exported $600 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Malawi, the Seychelles and Zimbabwe. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $10.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for hardwood plywood?
The HS code for hardwood plywood is subheading 4412.33. It sits in HS chapter 44 (wood and articles of wood; wood charcoal). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 4412 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
For South Africa, EximDataX reads the shipment records of the countries that trade with it and shows the companies on both sides. We can walk you through your product on a short call.
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