Nitrate imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of nitrate by South Africa reached $38.0 million in 2024 (49.5 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 2%. Value fell 24% from 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2018, at $74.4 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 | $38.0M | 49.5K t |
| 2023 | $50.2M | 46.0K t |
| 2022 | $55.5M | 49.6K t |
| 2021 | $47.5M | 100.4K t |
| 2020 | $42.0M | 70.9K t |
| 2019 | $38.2M | 68.8K t |
| 2018 | $74.4M | 104.4K t |
| 2017 | $51.1M | 88.3K t |
Where South Africa imports nitrate from
The largest suppliers were Chile (40%), China (21%), Jordan (11%). Among the main suppliers, United Kingdom grew fastest (+153% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Chile | $15.3M | 40% |
| China | $7.9M | 21% |
| Jordan | $4.1M | 11% |
| Israel | $3.7M | 9.8% |
| Germany | $3.1M | 8.1% |
| United Kingdom | $2.7M | 7.1% |
| France | $284K | 0.8% |
| India | $281K | 0.7% |
| Denmark | $235K | 0.6% |
| Italy | $126K | 0.3% |
Product types under HS 2834
| 2834.21 | Nitrates: of potassium | 75% |
| 2834.29 | Nitrates: of other than potassium | 19% |
| 2834.10 | Nitrites | 6.2% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 2834.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.77 per kg, close to the world average of $0.81.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Nitrate exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $6.9 million of nitrate in 2024 (3.8 thousand tonnes). Most of it went to Namibia (16%), Ghana (14%), Argentina (11%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 42%. Among the main buyer markets, Mauritius grew fastest (+383% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | $1.1M | 16% |
| Ghana | $980K | 14% |
| Argentina | $773K | 11% |
| Burkina Faso | $646K | 9.4% |
| Zimbabwe | $470K | 6.8% |
| Cote d'Ivoire | $468K | 6.8% |
| Zambia | $390K | 5.7% |
| DR Congo | $348K | 5.1% |
| Netherlands | $215K | 3.1% |
| Mauritius | $206K | 3% |
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 2834: Nitrites; nitrates.
Common questions
What is the value of nitrate imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported nitrate worth $38.0 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 49.5 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 12th of 188 countries worldwide, with 2% of world imports. The value was down 24% on 2023.
Which countries supply nitrate to South Africa?
Chile was the largest supplier with 40% of the value ($15.3 million), followed by China (21%) and Jordan (11%). The top three together account for 72%, out of 30 supplier countries in total. France grew fastest among the top ten, up 190% on the year.
What is the average import price of nitrate per kg?
The average declared import value was about $0.77 per kg in 2024, close to the world average of $0.81 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 nitrate to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $51.1 million in 2017 to $38.0 million in 2024, a fall of 26%. The peak was 2018 at $74.4 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export nitrate?
Yes. South Africa exported $6.9 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Namibia, Ghana and Argentina. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $31.1 million a year.
What is the HS code for nitrate?
The HS code for nitrate is heading 2834. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 2834.21 (75% of the value) and 2834.29 (19%). It sits in HS chapter 28 (inorganic chemicals; organic and inorganic compounds of precious metals; of rare earth metals, of radio-active elements and of isotopes). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 2834 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.
Same product, other countries
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.