Ketone exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
Exports of ketone by South Africa reached $184.0 million in 2024 (132.0 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 3%. Value fell 19% from 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2022, at $251.0 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 | $184.0M | 132.0K t |
| 2023 | $225.9M | 160.8K t |
| 2022 | $251.0M | 151.4K t |
| 2021 | $249.9M | 144.3K t |
| 2020 | $175.0M | 163.7K t |
| 2019 | $155.8M | 193.9K t |
| 2018 | $234.1M | 191.0K t |
| 2017 | $241.1M | 201.1K t |
Where South Africa exports ketone to
The largest buyer markets were Belgium (33%), United States (17%), Singapore (8%). Among the main buyer markets, Brazil grew fastest (+37% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Belgium | $61.2M | 33% |
| United States | $32.1M | 18% |
| Singapore | $15.3M | 8.3% |
| India | $12.4M | 6.7% |
| China | $7.2M | 3.9% |
| Germany | $6.9M | 3.8% |
| Thailand | $6.3M | 3.4% |
| South Korea | $5.8M | 3.2% |
| Brazil | $3.9M | 2.1% |
| France | $3.7M | 2% |
Product types under HS 2914
| 2914.13 | Ketones: acyclic, without other oxygen function, 4-methylpentan-2-one (methyl isobutyl ketone) | 46% |
| 2914.12 | Ketones: acyclic, without other oxygen function, butanone (methyl ethyl ketone) | 32% |
| 2914.11 | Ketones: acyclic, without other oxygen function, acetone | 21% |
| 2914.19 | Ketones: acyclic, without other oxygen function, n.e.c. in item no. 2914.1 | 0.5% |
| 2914.39 | Ketones: aromatic, (without other oxygen function), excluding phenylacetone (phenylpropan-2-one) | 0.2% |
| 2914.29 | Ketones: cyclanic, cyclenic or cycloterpenic, without other oxygen function, other than cyclohexanone, methylcyclohexanones, ionones, and… | 0.2% |
| 2914.40 | Ketone-alcohols and ketone-aldehydes | 0.1% |
| 2914.79 | Ketones and quinones: halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives, other than chlordecone (ISO) | 0.1% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 2914.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.39 per kg, 37% below the world average of $2.22, 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.
Ketone imports to South Africa
In 2024, South Africa imported ketone worth $8.8 million (1.5 thousand tonnes). One supplier dominates: China accounted for 57% of the value. Among the main suppliers, Germany grew fastest (+42% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $5.0M | 57% |
| India | $1.1M | 13% |
| Germany | $501K | 5.7% |
| United States | $489K | 5.5% |
| Taiwan | $344K | 3.9% |
| Netherlands | $199K | 2.3% |
| United Kingdom | $192K | 2.2% |
| Switzerland | $182K | 2.1% |
| Spain | $157K | 1.8% |
| Austria | $115K | 1.3% |
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 2914: Ketones and quinones; whether or not with other oxygen function, and their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrostated derivatives.
Common questions
What is the value of ketone exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported ketone worth $184.0 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 132.0 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 14th of 132 countries worldwide, with 3% of world exports. The value was down 19% on 2023.
Which countries buy ketone from South Africa?
Belgium was the largest buyer with 33% of the value ($61.2 million), followed by the United States (17%) and Singapore (8%). The top three together account for 59%, out of 77 buyer countries in total. Brazil grew fastest among the top ten, up 37% on the year.
What is the average export price of ketone per kg?
The average declared export value was about $1.39 per kg in 2024, 37% below the world average of $2.22 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 ketone from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $241.1 million in 2017 to $184.0 million in 2024, a fall of 24%. The peak was 2022 at $251.0 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import ketone?
Yes. South Africa imported $8.8 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from China, India and Germany. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $175.1 million a year.
What is the HS code for ketone?
The HS code for ketone is heading 2914. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 2914.13 (46% of the value) and 2914.12 (32%). It sits in HS chapter 29 (organic chemicals). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 2914 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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