MDF (5–9 mm) imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of mdf (5–9 mm) by South Africa reached $4.7 million in 2024 (7.6 thousand tonnes). That is 30% less than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2021, at $10.5 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 | $4.7M | 7.6K t |
| 2023 | $6.7M | 25.1K t |
| 2022 | $8.1M | 11.8K t |
| 2021 | $10.5M | 15.2K t |
| 2020 | $6.2M | 8.8K t |
| 2019 | $5.5M | 9.7K t |
| 2018 | $5.9M | 8.4K t |
| 2017 | $5.2M | 8.2K t |
Where South Africa imports mdf (5–9 mm) from
The largest suppliers were Germany (29%), Brazil (22%), China (19%). Among the main suppliers, China grew fastest (+189% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | $1.4M | 29% |
| Brazil | $1.0M | 22% |
| China | $899K | 19% |
| Austria | $447K | 9.6% |
| Switzerland | $433K | 9.3% |
| Turkey | $171K | 3.7% |
| Belgium | $68K | 1.5% |
| Thailand | $66K | 1.4% |
| India | $61K | 1.3% |
| Spain | $37K | 0.8% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.61 per kg, close to the world average of $0.67.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
MDF (5–9 mm) exports from South Africa
Exports of mdf (5–9 mm) by South Africa reached $474 thousand in 2024 (1.0 thousand tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Namibia (16%), Kenya (13%), Mozambique (11%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 40%. Among the main buyer markets, Angola grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | $75K | 16% |
| Kenya | $62K | 13% |
| Mozambique | $52K | 11% |
| Zimbabwe | $51K | 11% |
| DR Congo | $48K | 10% |
| Malawi | $44K | 9.3% |
| Botswana | $39K | 8.1% |
| United Arab Emirates | $28K | 6% |
| Zambia | $23K | 4.9% |
| Angola | $15K | 3.1% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa mdf (5–9 mm) imports (HS 4411.13): 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 4411.13: Medium density fibreboard (MDF), of a thickness exceeding 5 mm but not exceeding 9 mm.
Common questions
What is the value of mdf (5–9 mm) imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported mdf (5–9 mm) worth $4.7 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 7.6 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 59th of 198 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 30% on 2023.
Which countries supply mdf (5–9 mm) to South Africa?
Germany was the largest supplier with 29% of the value ($1.4 million), followed by Brazil (22%) and China (19%). The top three together account for 71%, out of 25 supplier countries in total. China grew fastest among the top ten, up 189% on the year.
What is the average import price of mdf (5–9 mm) per kg?
The average declared import value was about $0.61 per kg in 2024, 9% below the world average of $0.67 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of mdf (5–9 mm) to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $5.2 million in 2017 to $4.7 million in 2024, a fall of 10%. The peak was 2021 at $10.5 million. Over 8 years the average was $6.6 million a year.
Does South Africa also export mdf (5–9 mm)?
Yes. South Africa exported $474 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Namibia, Kenya and Mozambique. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $4.2 million a year.
What is the HS code for mdf (5–9 mm)?
The HS code for mdf (5–9 mm) is subheading 4411.13. It sits in HS chapter 44 (wood and articles of wood; wood charcoal). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 4411 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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