Packaged medicines imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported packaged medicines worth $1.92 billion (43.7 thousand tonnes). Value rose 13% on 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 | $1.92B | 43.7K t |
| 2023 | $1.70B | 44.7K t |
| 2022 | $1.73B | 46.3K t |
| 2021 | $2.00B | 40.7K t |
| 2020 | $1.81B | 45.0K t |
| 2019 | $1.73B | 32.5K t |
| 2018 | $1.81B | 35.7K t |
| 2017 | $1.63B | 31.4K t |
Where South Africa imports packaged medicines from
Most of the value came from India (34%), Germany (9%), United Kingdom (7%). Trade is spread widely: the top three suppliers together make up only 50%. Among the main suppliers, United Kingdom grew fastest (+150% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| India | $651.3M | 34% |
| Germany | $167.5M | 8.7% |
| United Kingdom | $134.4M | 7% |
| United States | $129.8M | 6.8% |
| France | $122.7M | 6.4% |
| Italy | $105.1M | 5.5% |
| Ireland | $61.1M | 3.2% |
| Spain | $60.0M | 3.1% |
| Denmark | $59.3M | 3.1% |
| Switzerland | $57.7M | 3% |
Product types under HS 3004
| 3004.90 | Medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale | 77% |
| 3004.39 | Medicaments: containing hormones (but not insulin), adrenal cortex hormones or antibiotics, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail… | 7.8% |
| 3004.20 | Medicaments: containing antibiotics (other than penicillins, streptomycins or their derivatives), for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for… | 5.3% |
| 3004.32 | Medicaments: containing corticosteroid hormones, their derivatives or structural analogues (but not containing antibiotics), for therapeutic or… | 2.8% |
| 3004.10 | Medicaments: containing penicillins, streptomycins or their derivatives, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale | 2.4% |
| 3004.31 | Medicaments: containing insulin, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale | 2% |
| 3004.49 | Medicaments: containing alkaloids or their derivatives: other than ephedrine, pseudoephedrine (INN) or norephedrine or their salts: for therapeutic… | 1.5% |
| 3004.50 | Medicaments: containing vitamins or their derivatives, for therapeutic or prophylactic use, packaged for retail sale | 1.3% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 3004.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $43.91 per kg, 46% below the world average of $80.84, 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.
Packaged medicines exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported packaged medicines worth $353.9 million (16.8 thousand tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Botswana (15%), Namibia (15%), Zimbabwe (9%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 38%. Among the main buyer markets, Singapore grew fastest (+164% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Botswana | $53.2M | 15% |
| Namibia | $51.4M | 15% |
| Zimbabwe | $30.9M | 8.7% |
| Singapore | $22.6M | 6.4% |
| Australia | $20.7M | 5.9% |
| Mozambique | $17.9M | 5.1% |
| United States | $14.9M | 4.2% |
| Eswatini | $14.4M | 4.1% |
| Germany | $12.5M | 3.5% |
| Mauritius | $12.3M | 3.5% |
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 3004: Medicaments; (not goods of heading no. 3002, 3005 or 3006) consisting of mixed or unmixed products for therapeutic or prophylactic use, put up in measured doses (incl. those in the form of transdermal admin. systems) or packed for retail sale.
Common questions
What is the value of packaged medicines imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported packaged medicines worth $1.92 billion in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 43.7 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 38th of 225 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 13% on 2023.
Which countries supply packaged medicines to South Africa?
India was the largest supplier with 34% of the value ($651.3 million), followed by Germany (9%) and the United Kingdom (7%). The top three together account for 50%, out of 95 supplier countries in total. The United Kingdom grew fastest among the top ten, up 150% on the year.
What is the average import price of packaged medicines per kg?
The average declared import value was about $43.91 per kg in 2024, 46% below the world average of $80.84 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 packaged medicines to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $1.63 billion in 2017 to $1.92 billion in 2024, an increase of 18%. The peak was 2021 at $2.00 billion. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export packaged medicines?
Yes. South Africa exported $353.9 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $1.57 billion a year.
What is the HS code for packaged medicines?
The HS code for packaged medicines is heading 3004. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 3004.90 (77% of the value) and 3004.39 (8%). It sits in HS chapter 30 (pharmaceutical products). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 3004 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
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