Industrial carbon electrodes imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of industrial carbon electrodes by South Africa reached $6.6 million in 2024 (1.4 thousand tonnes). Value rose 41% on 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2021, at $13.0 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 | $6.6M | 1.4K t |
| 2023 | $4.6M | 754 t |
| 2022 | $4.5M | 1.3K t |
| 2021 | $13.0M | 3.2K t |
| 2020 | $3.6M | 556 t |
| 2019 | $7.6M | 1.7K t |
| 2018 | $11.7M | 1.1K t |
| 2017 | $6.7M | 1.7K t |
Where South Africa imports industrial carbon electrodes from
The largest suppliers were Poland (37%), France (37%), Japan (12%). Among the main suppliers, China grew fastest (+272% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Poland | $2.4M | 37% |
| France | $2.4M | 37% |
| Japan | $802K | 12% |
| China | $296K | 4.5% |
| Taiwan | $196K | 3% |
| United States | $167K | 2.5% |
| Spain | $152K | 2.3% |
| Germany | $58K | 0.9% |
| United Kingdom | $9K | 0.1% |
| India | $9K | 0.1% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $4.70 per kg, 331% above the world average of $1.09. 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.
Industrial carbon electrodes exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported industrial carbon electrodes worth $551 thousand (25 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were DR Congo (15%), Botswana (11%), Mali (9%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 35%. Among the main buyer markets, Canada grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| DR Congo | $81K | 15% |
| Botswana | $58K | 11% |
| Mali | $52K | 9.4% |
| Zimbabwe | $51K | 9.3% |
| Zambia | $51K | 9.2% |
| Guinea | $47K | 8.4% |
| Canada | $42K | 7.6% |
| Cote d'Ivoire | $31K | 5.7% |
| Tanzania | $26K | 4.8% |
| Mozambique | $25K | 4.5% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa industrial carbon electrodes imports (HS 8545.19): 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 8545.19: Carbon electrodes: with or without metal, of a kind used for other than furnaces.
Common questions
What is the value of industrial carbon electrodes imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported industrial carbon electrodes worth $6.6 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 1.4 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 26th of 182 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 41% on 2023.
Which countries supply industrial carbon electrodes to South Africa?
Poland was the largest supplier with 37% of the value ($2.4 million), followed by France (37%) and Japan (12%). The top three together account for 86%, out of 25 supplier countries in total. China grew fastest among the top ten, up 272% on the year.
What is the average import price of industrial carbon electrodes per kg?
The average declared import value was about $4.70 per kg in 2024, 331% above the world average of $1.09 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of industrial carbon electrodes to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $6.7 million in 2017 to $6.6 million in 2024, a fall of 2%. The peak was 2021 at $13.0 million. Over 8 years the average was $7.3 million a year.
Does South Africa also export industrial carbon electrodes?
Yes. South Africa exported $551 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to the DR Congo, Botswana and Mali. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $6.0 million a year.
What is the HS code for industrial carbon electrodes?
The HS code for industrial carbon electrodes is subheading 8545.19. It sits in HS chapter 85 (electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers; television image and sound recorders and reproducers, parts and accessories of such articles). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 8545 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.
Same product, other countries
World industrial carbon electrodes trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for South Africa
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