Mineral wool insulation imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of mineral wool insulation by South Africa reached $45.7 million in 2024 (11.3 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Value rose 12% on 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2018, at $65.2 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 | $45.7M | 11.3K t |
| 2023 | $40.8M | 10.0K t |
| 2022 | $43.6M | 11.5K t |
| 2021 | $47.2M | 12.5K t |
| 2020 | $30.6M | 8.6K t |
| 2019 | $64.6M | 16.5K t |
| 2018 | $65.2M | 17.3K t |
| 2017 | $64.9M | 18.0K t |
Where South Africa imports mineral wool insulation from
Most of the value came from Japan (23%), United Kingdom (22%), Germany (12%). Among the main suppliers, South Korea grew fastest (+363% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | $10.4M | 23% |
| United Kingdom | $10.2M | 22% |
| Germany | $5.7M | 12% |
| Poland | $4.3M | 9.5% |
| China | $3.6M | 7.8% |
| United States | $3.0M | 6.6% |
| South Korea | $2.9M | 6.3% |
| Hungary | $2.8M | 6% |
| France | $688K | 1.5% |
| Netherlands | $632K | 1.4% |
Product types under HS 6806
| 6806.10 | Slag wool, rock wool and similar mineral wools (including intermixtures thereof), in bulk, sheets or rolls | 60% |
| 6806.90 | Minerals: mixtures and articles of heat-insulating, sound-insulating or sound-absorbing mineral materials, other than those of heading no. 6811 or… | 38% |
| 6806.20 | Exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays, foamed slag and similar expanded mineral materials (including intermixtures thereof) | 2.7% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 6806.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $4.05 per kg, 172% above the world average of $1.49. This usually points to higher-grade or processed goods.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Mineral wool insulation exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $19.4 million of mineral wool insulation in 2024 (3.9 thousand tonnes). One buyer market dominates: United States accounted for 78% of the value. Among the main buyer markets, Mozambique grew fastest (+114% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $15.2M | 78% |
| Mozambique | $831K | 4.3% |
| Australia | $748K | 3.9% |
| Zambia | $316K | 1.6% |
| Namibia | $254K | 1.3% |
| Botswana | $253K | 1.3% |
| DR Congo | $224K | 1.2% |
| Zimbabwe | $181K | 0.9% |
| Brazil | $154K | 0.8% |
| Netherlands | $139K | 0.7% |
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 6806: Slag, rock wool and similar mineral wools; exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays, foamed slag, mixtures and articles of heat, sound insulating or sound-absorbing mineral materials.
Common questions
What is the value of mineral wool insulation imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported mineral wool insulation worth $45.7 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 11.3 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 38th of 221 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 12% on 2023.
Which countries supply mineral wool insulation to South Africa?
Japan was the largest supplier with 23% of the value ($10.4 million), followed by the United Kingdom (22%) and Germany (12%). The top three together account for 58%, out of 41 supplier countries in total. South Korea grew fastest among the top ten, up 363% on the year.
What is the average import price of mineral wool insulation per kg?
The average declared import value was about $4.05 per kg in 2024, 172% above the world average of $1.49 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 imports of mineral wool insulation to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $64.9 million in 2017 to $45.7 million in 2024, a fall of 30%. The peak was 2018 at $65.2 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export mineral wool insulation?
Yes. South Africa exported $19.4 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to the United States, Mozambique and Australia. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $26.2 million a year.
What is the HS code for mineral wool insulation?
The HS code for mineral wool insulation is heading 6806. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 6806.10 (60% of the value) and 6806.90 (38%). It sits in HS chapter 68 (stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, mica or similar materials; articles thereof). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 6806 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.
See what your buyers are buying.Then decide.
Everything we show you comes from official customs filings — records, not claims. 30 minutes. Your shipment. Your HS code. Real platform. If you don’t see something new about your market by the end of the call, we walk away. No follow-ups.