Hydrocarbon exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
In 2024, South Africa exported hydrocarbon worth $592.9 million (348.4 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 2%. That is close to the 2023 level. 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 | $592.9M | 348.4K t |
| 2023 | $576.7M | 335.4K t |
| 2022 | $666.8M | 359.7K t |
| 2021 | $462.6M | 353.4K t |
| 2020 | $435.8M | 366.7K t |
| 2019 | $463.1M | 387.3K t |
| 2018 | $428.2M | 367.8K t |
| 2017 | $437.0M | 389.8K t |
Where South Africa exports hydrocarbon to
The largest buyer markets were Singapore (25%), Thailand (20%), Belgium (14%). Among the main buyer markets, China grew fastest (+151% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore | $146.3M | 25% |
| Thailand | $119.6M | 20% |
| Belgium | $83.8M | 14% |
| United States | $82.9M | 14% |
| Saudi Arabia | $54.1M | 9.1% |
| Spain | $27.2M | 4.6% |
| Germany | $22.6M | 3.8% |
| United Arab Emirates | $21.2M | 3.6% |
| Canada | $9.4M | 1.6% |
| China | $7.8M | 1.3% |
Product types under HS 2901
| 2901.29 | Acyclic hydrocarbons: unsaturated, n.e.c. in heading no. 2901 | 95% |
| 2901.10 | Acyclic hydrocarbons: saturated | 5.2% |
| 2901.21 | Acyclic hydrocarbons: unsaturated, ethylene | 0% |
| 2901.22 | Acyclic hydrocarbons: unsaturated, propene (propylene) | 0% |
| 2901.23 | Acyclic hydrocarbons: unsaturated, butene (butylene) and isomers thereof | 0% |
| 2901.24 | Acyclic hydrocarbons: unsaturated, buta-1,3-diene and isoprene | 0% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 2901.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.70 per kg, 127% above the world average of $0.75. 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.
Hydrocarbon imports to South Africa
South Africa imported $24.7 million of hydrocarbon in 2024 (20.4 thousand tonnes). United States alone supplied 66% of it. Among the main suppliers, South Korea grew fastest (+171% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $16.4M | 66% |
| Belgium | $2.1M | 8.6% |
| Singapore | $1.3M | 5.4% |
| South Korea | $1.1M | 4.6% |
| Egypt | $712K | 2.9% |
| Israel | $664K | 2.7% |
| Germany | $521K | 2.1% |
| Netherlands | $518K | 2.1% |
| China | $500K | 2% |
| United Kingdom | $223K | 0.9% |
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 2901: Acyclic hydrocarbons.
Common questions
What is the value of hydrocarbon exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported hydrocarbon worth $592.9 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 348.4 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 11th of 124 countries worldwide, with 2% of world exports. The value was up 3% on 2023.
Which countries buy hydrocarbon from South Africa?
Singapore was the largest buyer with 25% of the value ($146.3 million), followed by Thailand (20%) and Belgium (14%). The top three together account for 59%, out of 43 buyer countries in total. China grew fastest among the top ten, up 151% on the year.
What is the average export price of hydrocarbon per kg?
The average declared export value was about $1.70 per kg in 2024, 127% above the world average of $0.75 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 hydrocarbon from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $437.0 million in 2017 to $592.9 million in 2024, an increase of 36%. The peak was 2022 at $666.8 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import hydrocarbon?
Yes. South Africa imported $24.7 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from the United States, Belgium and Singapore. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $568.2 million a year.
What is the HS code for hydrocarbon?
The HS code for hydrocarbon is heading 2901. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 2901.29 (95% of the value) and 2901.10 (5%). It sits in HS chapter 29 (organic chemicals). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 2901 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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