Nitrogen fertilizer imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported nitrogen fertilizer worth $485.5 million (1.69 million tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. The value was almost unchanged from 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2022, at $1.17 billion.
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 | $485.5M | 1.69M t |
| 2023 | $494.3M | 1.49M t |
| 2022 | $1.17B | 1.99M t |
| 2021 | $839.9M | 2.17M t |
| 2020 | $288.2M | 1.54M t |
| 2019 | $386.3M | 1.72M t |
| 2018 | $337.9M | 1.30M t |
| 2017 | $302.5M | 1.30M t |
Where South Africa imports nitrogen fertilizer from
Most of the value came from Saudi Arabia (22%), Russia (16%), Qatar (15%). Among the main suppliers, Nigeria grew fastest (+87% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia | $107.5M | 22% |
| Russia | $76.3M | 16% |
| Qatar | $73.2M | 15% |
| China | $70.2M | 15% |
| Oman | $63.3M | 13% |
| Nigeria | $31.9M | 6.6% |
| United Arab Emirates | $12.5M | 2.6% |
| Netherlands | $11.8M | 2.4% |
| Finland | $9.5M | 2% |
| Belgium | $4.9M | 1% |
Product types under HS 3102
| 3102.10 | Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: nitrogenous, urea, whether or not in aqueous solution | 67% |
| 3102.21 | Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: nitrogenous, ammonium sulphate | 15% |
| 3102.60 | Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: nitrogenous, double salts and mixtures of calcium nitrate and ammonium nitrate | 8.4% |
| 3102.40 | Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: ammonium nitrate with calcium carbonate or other inorganic non-fertilizing substances, mixtures thereof | 3.6% |
| 3102.30 | Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: nitrogenous, ammonium nitrate, whether or not in aqueous solution | 3.1% |
| 3102.90 | Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: nitrogenous, other kinds including mixtures not specified in the foregoing subheadings | 1.9% |
| 3102.50 | Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: nitrogenous, sodium nitrate | 0.3% |
| 3102.29 | Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: nitrogenous, other than ammonium sulphate | 0.3% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 3102.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.29 per kg, close to the world average of $0.32.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Nitrogen fertilizer exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported nitrogen fertilizer worth $280.4 million (480.6 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. Most of it went to Zambia (45%), Zimbabwe (19%), DR Congo (9%).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zambia | $127.1M | 45% |
| Zimbabwe | $54.0M | 19% |
| DR Congo | $24.8M | 8.8% |
| Botswana | $23.3M | 8.3% |
| Namibia | $22.3M | 8% |
| Eswatini | $12.0M | 4.3% |
| Mozambique | $5.1M | 1.8% |
| Lesotho | $3.2M | 1.1% |
| Angola | $3.1M | 1.1% |
| Mauritius | $1.5M | 0.5% |
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 3102: Fertilizers; mineral or chemical, nitrogenous.
Common questions
What is the value of nitrogen fertilizer imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported nitrogen fertilizer worth $485.5 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 1.69 million tonnes. That ranks it 15th of 214 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was down 2% on 2023.
Which countries supply nitrogen fertilizer to South Africa?
Saudi Arabia was the largest supplier with 22% of the value ($107.5 million), followed by Russia (16%) and Qatar (15%). The top three together account for 53%, out of 46 supplier countries in total. Nigeria grew fastest among the top ten, up 87% on the year.
What is the average import price of nitrogen fertilizer per kg?
The average declared import value was about $0.29 per kg in 2024, 9% below the world average of $0.32 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 nitrogen fertilizer to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $302.5 million in 2017 to $485.5 million in 2024, an increase of 61%. The peak was 2022 at $1.17 billion. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export nitrogen fertilizer?
Yes. South Africa exported $280.4 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Zambia, Zimbabwe and the DR Congo. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $205.1 million a year.
What is the HS code for nitrogen fertilizer?
The HS code for nitrogen fertilizer is heading 3102. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 3102.10 (67% of the value) and 3102.21 (15%). It sits in HS chapter 31 (fertilizers). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 3102 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
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.