Neutral alcohol (high strength) exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
In 2024, South Africa exported neutral alcohol (high strength) worth $126.4 million (138.0 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. Value fell 22% from 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2023, at $162.7 million.
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 | $126.4M | 138.0K t |
| 2023 | $162.7M | 163.3K t |
| 2022 | $146.7M | 152.5K t |
| 2021 | $111.7M | 119.1K t |
| 2020 | $100.2M | 120.2K t |
| 2019 | $119.1M | 124.8K t |
| 2018 | $156.0M | 186.9K t |
| 2017 | $115.4M | 159.5K t |
Where South Africa exports neutral alcohol (high strength) to
Most of it went to Tanzania (14%), Belgium (14%), United States (14%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 42%. Among the main buyer markets, United Kingdom grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Tanzania | $18.1M | 14% |
| Belgium | $17.6M | 14% |
| United States | $17.3M | 14% |
| Madagascar | $10.2M | 8.1% |
| Japan | $9.1M | 7.2% |
| Singapore | $9.0M | 7.1% |
| Netherlands | $9.0M | 7.1% |
| Saudi Arabia | $7.2M | 5.7% |
| United Kingdom | $5.8M | 4.6% |
| Zimbabwe | $4.1M | 3.3% |
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.92 per kg, close to the world average of $0.95.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Neutral alcohol (high strength) imports to South Africa
South Africa imported $1.1 million of neutral alcohol (high strength) in 2024 (791 tonnes). Guatemala alone supplied 75% of it. Among the main suppliers, United States grew fastest (+235% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Guatemala | $804K | 75% |
| United States | $103K | 9.6% |
| Germany | $63K | 5.9% |
| India | $50K | 4.7% |
| China | $19K | 1.8% |
| Switzerland | $17K | 1.6% |
| United Kingdom | $7K | 0.7% |
| Belgium | $7K | 0.6% |
| Spain | $3K | 0.2% |
| Thailand | $0K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa neutral alcohol (high strength) exports (HS 2207.10): 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 2207.10: Undenatured ethyl alcohol: of an alcoholic strength by volume of 80% vol. or higher.
Common questions
What is the value of neutral alcohol (high strength) exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported neutral alcohol (high strength) worth $126.4 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 138.0 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 14th of 122 countries worldwide, with 1% of world exports. The value was down 22% on 2023.
Which countries buy neutral alcohol (high strength) from South Africa?
Tanzania was the largest buyer with 14% of the value ($18.1 million), followed by Belgium (14%) and the United States (14%). The top three together account for 42%, out of 53 buyer countries in total. The Netherlands grew fastest among the top ten, up 39% on the year.
What is the average export price of neutral alcohol (high strength) per kg?
The average declared export value was about $0.92 per kg in 2024, close to the world average of $0.95 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have exports of neutral alcohol (high strength) from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $115.4 million in 2017 to $126.4 million in 2024, an increase of 10%. The peak was 2023 at $162.7 million. Over 8 years the average was $129.8 million a year.
Does South Africa also import neutral alcohol (high strength)?
Yes. South Africa imported $1.1 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Guatemala, the United States and Germany. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $125.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for neutral alcohol (high strength)?
The HS code for neutral alcohol (high strength) is subheading 2207.10. It sits in HS chapter 22 (beverages, spirits and vinegar). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 2207 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
For South Africa, EximDataX reads the shipment records of the countries that trade with it and shows the companies on both sides. We can walk you through your product on a short call.
Same product, other countries
World neutral alcohol (high strength) trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for South Africa
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