Medicament exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
In 2024, South Africa exported medicament worth $82.6 million (9.7 thousand tonnes). Value rose 36% on 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 | $82.6M | 9.7K t |
| 2023 | $60.9M | 9.3K t |
| 2022 | $46.3M | 7.9K t |
| 2021 | $67.1M | 9.2K t |
| 2020 | $46.1M | 9.9K t |
| 2019 | $38.2M | 16.1K t |
| 2018 | $32.3M | 10.5K t |
| 2017 | $37.7M | 9.7K t |
Where South Africa exports medicament to
One buyer market dominates: United Arab Emirates accounted for 55% of the value. Among the main buyer markets, United Arab Emirates grew fastest (+672% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United Arab Emirates | $45.2M | 55% |
| Namibia | $20.3M | 25% |
| China | $5.3M | 6.5% |
| Lesotho | $2.0M | 2.4% |
| Zimbabwe | $1.5M | 1.9% |
| Canada | $1.2M | 1.5% |
| Eswatini | $949K | 1.2% |
| Chile | $809K | 1% |
| Portugal | $708K | 0.9% |
| Brazil | $491K | 0.6% |
Product types under HS 3003
| 3003.10 | Medicaments: containing penicillins, streptomycins or their derivatives, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, (not in measured doses, not packaged… | 59% |
| 3003.39 | Medicaments: containing hormones (excluding insulin), (but not containing antibiotics), for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, not packaged for retail… | 25% |
| 3003.90 | Medicaments: (not containing antibiotics, hormones, alkaloids or their derivatives), for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, (not packaged for retail… | 14% |
| 3003.20 | Medicaments: containing antibiotics other than penicillins, streptomycins and their derivatives, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, (not in… | 1.1% |
| 3003.49 | Medicaments: containing alkaloids or their derivatives: other than ephedrine, pseudoephedrine (INN) or norephedrine or their salts: for therapeutic… | 0.6% |
| 3003.31 | Medicaments: containing insulin, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, not packaged for retail sale | 0% |
| 3003.42 | Medicaments: containing alkaloids or their derivatives, containing pseudoephedrine (INN) or its salts, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, (not… | 0% |
| 3003.60 | Medicaments: containing antimalarial active principles described in subheading note 2 to this chapter, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, (not… | 0% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 3003.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $8.52 per kg, 88% below the world average of $72.93, 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.
Medicament imports to South Africa
Imports of medicament by South Africa reached $13.0 million in 2024 (1.5 thousand tonnes). The largest suppliers were India (22%), China (20%), Switzerland (15%). Among the main suppliers, Switzerland grew fastest (+185% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| India | $2.9M | 22% |
| China | $2.6M | 20% |
| Switzerland | $1.9M | 15% |
| Italy | $1.4M | 10% |
| Canada | $1.2M | 9.6% |
| Cyprus | $971K | 7.5% |
| United States | $855K | 6.6% |
| United Kingdom | $399K | 3.1% |
| Netherlands | $294K | 2.3% |
| Spain | $121K | 0.9% |
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 3003: Medicaments; (not goods of heading no. 3002, 3005 or 3006) of two or more constituents mixed together for therapeutic or prophylactic use not in measured doses or in forms or packings for retail sale.
Common questions
What is the value of medicament exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported medicament worth $82.6 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 9.7 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 24th of 158 countries worldwide, with 0% of world exports. The value was up 36% on 2023.
Which countries buy medicament from South Africa?
The United Arab Emirates was the largest buyer with 55% of the value ($45.2 million), followed by Namibia (25%) and China (6%). The top three together account for 86%, out of 84 buyer countries in total. The United Arab Emirates grew fastest among the top ten, up 672% on the year.
What is the average export price of medicament per kg?
The average declared export value was about $8.52 per kg in 2024, 88% below the world average of $72.93 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 medicament from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $37.7 million in 2017 to $82.6 million in 2024, an increase of 119%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import medicament?
Yes. South Africa imported $13.0 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from India, China and Switzerland. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $69.5 million a year.
What is the HS code for medicament?
The HS code for medicament is heading 3003. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 3003.10 (59% of the value) and 3003.39 (25%). It sits in HS chapter 30 (pharmaceutical products). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 3003 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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