Inorganic acid imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported inorganic acid worth $37.7 million (28.3 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Value rose 22% 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 | $37.7M | 28.3K t |
| 2023 | $31.1M | 25.8K t |
| 2022 | $43.0M | 29.3K t |
| 2021 | $33.1M | 28.5K t |
| 2020 | $24.0M | 24.0K t |
| 2019 | $28.8M | 30.4K t |
| 2018 | $30.6M | 28.9K t |
| 2017 | $28.2M | 27.5K t |
Where South Africa imports inorganic acid from
The largest suppliers were China (24%), Germany (17%), India (12%). Among the main suppliers, United Kingdom grew fastest (+587% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $9.1M | 24% |
| Germany | $6.5M | 17% |
| India | $4.5M | 12% |
| Netherlands | $3.6M | 9.5% |
| Malaysia | $2.3M | 6.1% |
| Belgium | $1.5M | 4% |
| United Kingdom | $1.4M | 3.7% |
| Spain | $822K | 2.2% |
| Taiwan | $785K | 2.1% |
| Mozambique | $782K | 2.1% |
Product types under HS 2811
| 2811.22 | Silicon dioxide | 60% |
| 2811.11 | Hydrogen fluoride (hydrofluoric acid) | 14% |
| 2811.19 | Inorganic acids: other than hydrogen fluoride | 13% |
| 2811.29 | Inorganic oxygen compounds: of non-metals, n.e.c. in item no. 2811.2 | 6.3% |
| 2811.21 | Carbon dioxide | 6.3% |
| 2811.12 | Hydrogen cyanide (hydrocyanic acid) | 0.1% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 2811.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.33 per kg, 34% above the world average of $0.99. 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.
Inorganic acid exports from South Africa
Exports of inorganic acid by South Africa reached $15.7 million in 2024 (36.9 thousand tonnes). The largest buyer markets were United Kingdom (31%), Zambia (14%), Zimbabwe (11%). Among the main buyer markets, India grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | $4.9M | 31% |
| Zambia | $2.2M | 14% |
| Zimbabwe | $1.7M | 11% |
| Mozambique | $1.6M | 10% |
| Botswana | $899K | 5.7% |
| Saudi Arabia | $729K | 4.6% |
| Namibia | $552K | 3.5% |
| Colombia | $528K | 3.4% |
| DR Congo | $384K | 2.4% |
| India | $306K | 2% |
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
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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 2811: Inorganic acids and other inorganic oxygen compounds of non-metals; n.e.c. in heading no. 2806 to 2810.
Common questions
What is the value of inorganic acid imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported inorganic acid worth $37.7 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 28.3 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 39th of 216 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 22% on 2023.
Which countries supply inorganic acid to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 24% of the value ($9.1 million), followed by Germany (17%) and India (12%). The top three together account for 53%, out of 54 supplier countries in total. The United Kingdom grew fastest among the top ten, up 587% on the year.
What is the average import price of inorganic acid per kg?
The average declared import value was about $1.33 per kg in 2024, 34% above the world average of $0.99 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 imports of inorganic acid to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $28.2 million in 2017 to $37.7 million in 2024, an increase of 34%. The peak was 2022 at $43.0 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export inorganic acid?
Yes. South Africa exported $15.7 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to the United Kingdom, Zambia and Zimbabwe. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $22.0 million a year.
What is the HS code for inorganic acid?
The HS code for inorganic acid is heading 2811. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 2811.22 (60% of the value) and 2811.11 (14%). It sits in HS chapter 28 (inorganic chemicals; organic and inorganic compounds of precious metals; of rare earth metals, of radio-active elements and of isotopes). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 2811 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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