Industrial bar soap exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
Exports of industrial bar soap by South Africa reached $52.0 million in 2024 (46.2 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 2%. Value fell 21% from 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2023, at $65.4 million.
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 | $52.0M | 46.2K t |
| 2023 | $65.4M | 32.6K t |
| 2022 | $54.9M | 27.9K t |
| 2021 | $38.1M | 22.6K t |
| 2020 | $42.9M | 43.2K t |
| 2019 | $42.6M | 40.5K t |
| 2018 | $34.2M | 27.7K t |
| 2017 | $45.7M | 32.5K t |
Where South Africa exports industrial bar soap to
The largest buyer markets were Namibia (19%), Zimbabwe (16%), Botswana (14%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 50%. Among the main buyer markets, Lesotho grew fastest (+70% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | $10.1M | 20% |
| Zimbabwe | $8.5M | 16% |
| Botswana | $7.3M | 14% |
| Eswatini | $7.2M | 14% |
| DR Congo | $4.7M | 9% |
| Lesotho | $3.1M | 6% |
| Malawi | $3.0M | 5.9% |
| Mozambique | $2.6M | 5% |
| Zambia | $2.4M | 4.6% |
| Republic of the Congo | $1.1M | 2.2% |
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.12 per kg, 34% below the world average of $1.70, 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.
Industrial bar soap imports to South Africa
Imports of industrial bar soap by South Africa reached $11.1 million in 2024 (8.6 thousand tonnes). One supplier dominates: China accounted for 59% of the value.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $6.5M | 59% |
| United Kingdom | $2.8M | 25% |
| Brazil | $464K | 4.2% |
| Israel | $229K | 2.1% |
| Turkey | $224K | 2% |
| Bahrain | $205K | 1.8% |
| Greece | $195K | 1.8% |
| Germany | $98K | 0.9% |
| Poland | $64K | 0.6% |
| France | $57K | 0.5% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa industrial bar soap exports (HS 3401.19): 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 3401.19: Soap and organic surface-active products: in the form of bars, cakes, moulded shapes, and paper, wadding, felt and nonwovens, impregnated, coated or covered with soap or detergent, not for toilet use.
Common questions
What is the value of industrial bar soap exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported industrial bar soap worth $52.0 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 46.2 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 15th of 182 countries worldwide, with 2% of world exports. The value was down 21% on 2023.
Which countries buy industrial bar soap from South Africa?
Namibia was the largest buyer with 19% of the value ($10.1 million), followed by Zimbabwe (16%) and Botswana (14%). The top three together account for 50%, out of 68 buyer countries in total. Lesotho grew fastest among the top ten, up 70% on the year.
What is the average export price of industrial bar soap per kg?
The average declared export value was about $1.12 per kg in 2024, 34% below the world average of $1.70 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have exports of industrial bar soap from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $45.7 million in 2017 to $52.0 million in 2024, an increase of 14%. The peak was 2023 at $65.4 million. Over 8 years the average was $47.0 million a year.
Does South Africa also import industrial bar soap?
Yes. South Africa imported $11.1 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from China, the United Kingdom and Brazil. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $40.8 million a year.
What is the HS code for industrial bar soap?
The HS code for industrial bar soap is subheading 3401.19. It sits in HS chapter 34 (soap, organic surface-active agents; washing, lubricating, polishing or scouring preparations; artificial or prepared waxes, candles and similar articles, modelling pastes, dental waxes and dental preparations with a basis of plaster). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 3401 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
EximDataX rebuilds South Africa trade from the customs records of its trading partners, so the companies shipping to and from it are visible. Ask for a live look at your product.
Same product, other countries
World industrial bar soap trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for South Africa
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