Natural resins imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of natural resins by South Africa reached $8.5 million in 2024 (1.3 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. That is 9% 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 | $8.5M | 1.3K t |
| 2023 | $7.8M | 1.3K t |
| 2022 | $7.3M | 1.4K t |
| 2021 | $6.5M | 989 t |
| 2020 | $5.9M | 1.1K t |
| 2019 | $5.5M | 1.4K t |
| 2018 | $7.3M | 2.1K t |
| 2017 | $6.3M | 1.7K t |
Where South Africa imports natural resins from
Most of the value came from France (48%), China (15%), India (10%). Among the main suppliers, United Kingdom grew fastest (+110% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| France | $4.1M | 48% |
| China | $1.3M | 15% |
| India | $840K | 9.8% |
| Germany | $797K | 9.3% |
| United Kingdom | $429K | 5% |
| Italy | $248K | 2.9% |
| United States | $201K | 2.4% |
| Netherlands | $135K | 1.6% |
| Singapore | $131K | 1.5% |
| Brazil | $74K | 0.9% |
Product types under HS 1301
| 1301.20 | Gum Arabic | 65% |
| 1301.90 | Natural gums, resins, gum-resins and oleoresins, n.e.c. in heading no. 1301 | 36% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 1301.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $6.48 per kg, 99% above the world average of $3.26. 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.
Natural resins exports from South Africa
Exports of natural resins by South Africa reached $2.3 million in 2024 (2.0 thousand tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Portugal (33%), Vietnam (31%), Nigeria (7%). Among the main buyer markets, United Arab Emirates grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Portugal | $745K | 33% |
| Vietnam | $711K | 31% |
| Nigeria | $151K | 6.6% |
| Namibia | $112K | 4.9% |
| Lithuania | $110K | 4.9% |
| United Arab Emirates | $105K | 4.6% |
| Finland | $87K | 3.9% |
| Argentina | $70K | 3.1% |
| Thailand | $58K | 2.5% |
| Zambia | $45K | 2% |
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 1301: Lac; natural gums, resins, gum-resins and oleoresins (for example, balsams).
Common questions
What is the value of natural resins imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported natural resins worth $8.5 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 1.3 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 28th of 192 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 9% on 2023.
Which countries supply natural resins to South Africa?
France was the largest supplier with 48% of the value ($4.1 million), followed by China (15%) and India (10%). The top three together account for 73%, out of 46 supplier countries in total. The United Kingdom grew fastest among the top ten, up 110% on the year.
What is the average import price of natural resins per kg?
The average declared import value was about $6.48 per kg in 2024, 99% above the world average of $3.26 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 natural resins to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $6.3 million in 2017 to $8.5 million in 2024, an increase of 35%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export natural resins?
Yes. South Africa exported $2.3 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Portugal, Vietnam and Nigeria. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $6.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for natural resins?
The HS code for natural resins is heading 1301. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 1301.20 (64% of the value) and 1301.90 (36%). It sits in HS chapter 13 (lac; gums, resins and other vegetable saps and extracts). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 1301 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.
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