Lead ingots exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
Exports of lead ingots by South Africa reached $45.7 million in 2024 (19.2 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. That is 5% more than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 12% a year on average.
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 | $45.7M | 19.2K t |
| 2023 | $43.6M | 18.9K t |
| 2022 | $38.4M | 16.0K t |
| 2021 | $31.6M | 11.2K t |
| 2020 | $30.0M | 14.0K t |
| 2019 | $36.9M | 13.3K t |
| 2018 | $24.9M | 9.9K t |
| 2017 | $21.3M | 8.1K t |
Where South Africa exports lead ingots to
The largest buyer markets were Singapore (26%), Brazil (25%), India (14%). Among the main buyer markets, Tunisia grew fastest (+111% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore | $12.1M | 27% |
| Brazil | $11.3M | 25% |
| India | $6.4M | 14% |
| Botswana | $6.0M | 13% |
| Tunisia | $4.4M | 9.7% |
| Bulgaria | $2.2M | 4.8% |
| Greece | $1.0M | 2.2% |
| China | $836K | 1.8% |
| Djibouti | $451K | 1% |
| Pakistan | $332K | 0.7% |
Product types under HS 7801
| 7801.10 | Lead: unwrought, refined | 87% |
| 7801.99 | Lead: unwrought, unrefined, not containing by weight antimony as the principal other element | 11% |
| 7801.91 | Lead: unwrought, unrefined, containing by weight antimony as the principal other element | 1.8% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 7801.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $2.38 per kg, close to the world average of $2.31.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Lead ingots imports to South Africa
South Africa imported $11.8 million of lead ingots in 2024 (4.8 thousand tonnes). Most of the value came from Kazakhstan (37%), Japan (19%), South Korea (16%). Among the main suppliers, Japan grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Kazakhstan | $4.4M | 37% |
| Japan | $2.2M | 19% |
| South Korea | $1.8M | 16% |
| Turkey | $1.6M | 13% |
| China | $969K | 8.2% |
| Zimbabwe | $427K | 3.6% |
| Belgium | $159K | 1.4% |
| Singapore | $105K | 0.9% |
| Germany | $67K | 0.6% |
| Zambia | $30K | 0.3% |
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 7801: Lead; unwrought.
Common questions
What is the value of lead ingots exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported lead ingots worth $45.7 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 19.2 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 35th of 138 countries worldwide, with 1% of world exports. The value was up 5% on 2023.
Which countries buy lead ingots from South Africa?
Singapore was the largest buyer with 26% of the value ($12.1 million), followed by Brazil (25%) and India (14%). The top three together account for 65%, out of 25 buyer countries in total. Tunisia grew fastest among the top ten, up 111% on the year.
What is the average export price of lead ingots per kg?
The average declared export value was about $2.38 per kg in 2024, close to the world average of $2.31 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 lead ingots from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $21.3 million in 2017 to $45.7 million in 2024, an increase of 114%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import lead ingots?
Yes. South Africa imported $11.8 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Kazakhstan, Japan and South Korea. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $33.9 million a year.
What is the HS code for lead ingots?
The HS code for lead ingots is heading 7801. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 7801.10 (87% of the value) and 7801.99 (11%). It sits in HS chapter 78 (lead and articles thereof). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 7801 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.
More trade data for South Africa
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