Optical fiber cable imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of optical fiber cable by South Africa reached $28.4 million in 2024 (4.0 thousand tonnes). Value rose 11% on 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 10% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2018, at $69.2 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 | $28.4M | 4.0K t |
| 2023 | $25.5M | 2.7K t |
| 2022 | $33.6M | 3.1K t |
| 2021 | $34.8M | 2.0K t |
| 2020 | $25.3M | 5.7K t |
| 2019 | $33.6M | 3.9K t |
| 2018 | $69.2M | 15.8K t |
| 2017 | $57.1M | 7.6K t |
Where South Africa imports optical fiber cable from
The largest suppliers were China (47%), Spain (7%), United States (6%). Among the main suppliers, Netherlands grew fastest (+749% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $13.4M | 47% |
| Spain | $2.1M | 7.3% |
| United States | $1.6M | 5.7% |
| Mauritius | $1.4M | 5.1% |
| Taiwan | $1.4M | 5% |
| Germany | $1.3M | 4.6% |
| Netherlands | $1.0M | 3.5% |
| France | $996K | 3.5% |
| United Kingdom | $976K | 3.4% |
| India | $769K | 2.7% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $7.15 per kg, 46% below the world average of $13.19, which often means bulk or lower-grade product.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Optical fiber cable exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported optical fiber cable worth $22.8 million (2.4 thousand tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Namibia (14%), Canada (13%), Botswana (10%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 38%. Among the main buyer markets, Peru grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | $3.3M | 15% |
| Canada | $3.0M | 13% |
| Botswana | $2.3M | 10% |
| Zambia | $2.1M | 9.3% |
| Zimbabwe | $1.2M | 5.2% |
| China | $1.1M | 4.7% |
| Peru | $1.0M | 4.4% |
| Spain | $1.0M | 4.4% |
| DR Congo | $798K | 3.5% |
| Panama | $793K | 3.5% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa optical fiber cable imports (HS 8544.70): 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 8544.70: Insulated electric conductors: optical fibre cables.
Common questions
What is the value of optical fiber cable imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported optical fiber cable worth $28.4 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 4.0 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 51st of 218 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 11% on 2023.
Which countries supply optical fiber cable to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 47% of the value ($13.4 million), followed by Spain (7%) and the United States (6%). The top three together account for 60%, out of 62 supplier countries in total. The Netherlands grew fastest among the top ten, up 749% on the year.
What is the average import price of optical fiber cable per kg?
The average declared import value was about $7.15 per kg in 2024, 46% below the world average of $13.19 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of optical fiber cable to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $57.1 million in 2017 to $28.4 million in 2024, a fall of 50%. The peak was 2018 at $69.2 million. Over 8 years the average was $38.5 million a year.
Does South Africa also export optical fiber cable?
Yes. South Africa exported $22.8 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Namibia, Canada and Botswana. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $5.5 million a year.
What is the HS code for optical fiber cable?
The HS code for optical fiber cable is subheading 8544.70. It sits in HS chapter 85 (electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers; television image and sound recorders and reproducers, parts and accessories of such articles). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 8544 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
The totals here are public statistics; EximDataX adds the company names by reading partner countries' customs records for South Africa. Tell us your product to see it live.
Same product, other countries
World optical fiber cable trade: top importers and exporters
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