Lactic acid imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $7.6 million of lactic acid in 2024 (3.9 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. That is 31% more than in 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 | $7.6M | 3.9K t |
| 2023 | $5.8M | 2.8K t |
| 2022 | $5.8M | 3.1K t |
| 2021 | $5.6M | 3.7K t |
| 2020 | $3.9M | 2.5K t |
| 2019 | $5.1M | 3.7K t |
| 2018 | $4.7M | 3.4K t |
| 2017 | $5.1M | 3.7K t |
Where South Africa imports lactic acid from
Most of the value came from China (45%), Spain (21%), Eswatini (9%). Among the main suppliers, Thailand grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $3.4M | 45% |
| Spain | $1.6M | 21% |
| Eswatini | $680K | 9% |
| Netherlands | $644K | 8.5% |
| Thailand | $411K | 5.4% |
| Belgium | $308K | 4.1% |
| France | $207K | 2.7% |
| United States | $144K | 1.9% |
| Germany | $72K | 1% |
| Malaysia | $53K | 0.7% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.91 per kg, close to the world average of $1.99.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Lactic acid exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $742 thousand of lactic acid in 2024 (365 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Zambia (26%), Zimbabwe (16%), Mozambique (14%). Among the main buyer markets, Botswana grew fastest (+136% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zambia | $194K | 26% |
| Zimbabwe | $116K | 16% |
| Mozambique | $106K | 14% |
| Botswana | $93K | 13% |
| Uganda | $59K | 7.9% |
| Eswatini | $46K | 6.1% |
| Tanzania | $24K | 3.3% |
| Namibia | $24K | 3.3% |
| Malawi | $18K | 2.5% |
| Kenya | $16K | 2.1% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa lactic acid imports (HS 2918.11): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
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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 2918.11: Acids: carboxylic acids, (with alcohol function but without other oxygen function), lactic acid, its salts and esters.
Common questions
What is the value of lactic acid imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported lactic acid worth $7.6 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 3.9 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 24th of 170 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 31% on 2023.
Which countries supply lactic acid to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 45% of the value ($3.4 million), followed by Spain (21%) and Eswatini (9%). The top three together account for 75%, out of 24 supplier countries in total. The United States grew fastest among the top ten, up 88% on the year.
What is the average import price of lactic acid per kg?
The average declared import value was about $1.91 per kg in 2024, close to the world average of $1.99 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of lactic acid to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $5.1 million in 2017 to $7.6 million in 2024, an increase of 47%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Over 8 years the average was $5.4 million a year.
Does South Africa also export lactic acid?
Yes. South Africa exported $742 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $6.8 million a year.
What is the HS code for lactic acid?
The HS code for lactic acid is subheading 2918.11. It sits in HS chapter 29 (organic chemicals). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 2918 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.
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