Pesticide imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of pesticide by South Africa reached $482.0 million in 2024 (84.2 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. That is 3% less than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2022, at $720.2 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 | $482.0M | 84.2K t |
| 2023 | $498.2M | 66.2K t |
| 2022 | $720.2M | 88.8K t |
| 2021 | $557.4M | 75.9K t |
| 2020 | $483.0M | 77.6K t |
| 2019 | $431.1M | 70.6K t |
| 2018 | $462.2M | 74.6K t |
| 2017 | $433.2M | 71.2K t |
Where South Africa imports pesticide from
Most of the value came from China (35%), United States (12%), Germany (10%).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $170.5M | 35% |
| United States | $56.2M | 12% |
| Germany | $50.1M | 10% |
| Belgium | $46.3M | 9.6% |
| France | $34.6M | 7.2% |
| India | $24.2M | 5% |
| Spain | $18.3M | 3.8% |
| Italy | $16.8M | 3.5% |
| Israel | $13.1M | 2.7% |
| Japan | $12.9M | 2.7% |
Product types under HS 3808
| 3808.93 | Herbicides, anti-sprouting products and plant-growth regulators: other than containing goods of Subheading Note 1 to this Chapter: put up in forms or… | 42% |
| 3808.91 | Insecticides: other than containing goods specified in Subheading Notes 1 & 2 to this Chapter: put up in forms or packings for retail sale or as… | 31% |
| 3808.92 | Fungicides: other than containing goods specified in Subheading Note 1 to this Chapter: put up in forms or packings for retail sale or as… | 15% |
| 3808.99 | Rodenticides and other similar products n.e.c. in heading no. 3808.9: other than containing goods specified in Subheading Note 1 in this Chapter, put… | 6.9% |
| 3808.69 | Insecticides: containing goods named in Subheading Note 2 to this Chapter, put up in forms or packings for retail sale or as preparations or… | 2.9% |
| 3808.94 | Disinfectants: other than containing goods specified in Subheading Note 1 in this Chapter: put up in forms or packings for retail sale or as… | 1.5% |
| 3808.59 | Insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides, disinfectants, herbicides and the like: containing goods specified in Subheading Note 1 to this Chapter: not… | 1% |
| 3808.62 | Insecticides: containing goods specified in Subheading Note 2 to this Chapter: put up in forms or packings for retail sale or as preparations or… | 0.8% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 3808.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $5.72 per kg, close to the world average of $5.89.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Pesticide exports from South Africa
Exports of pesticide by South Africa reached $254.4 million in 2024 (40.8 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. Most of it went to Zambia (14%), Zimbabwe (11%), Namibia (7%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 32%.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zambia | $35.7M | 14% |
| Zimbabwe | $29.0M | 11% |
| Namibia | $16.7M | 6.6% |
| Rwanda | $16.5M | 6.5% |
| Botswana | $15.6M | 6.1% |
| Eswatini | $14.7M | 5.8% |
| Malawi | $13.3M | 5.2% |
| China | $11.7M | 4.6% |
| Australia | $10.1M | 4% |
| Kenya | $6.2M | 2.4% |
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 3808: Insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides, herbicides, anti-sprouting products, plant growth regulators, disinfectants and the like, put up in forms or packings for retail sale or as preparations or articles.
Common questions
What is the value of pesticide imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported pesticide worth $482.0 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 84.2 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 27th of 225 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was down 3% on 2023.
Which countries supply pesticide to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 35% of the value ($170.5 million), followed by the United States (12%) and Germany (10%). The top three together account for 57%, out of 64 supplier countries in total. Japan grew fastest among the top ten, up 19% on the year.
What is the average import price of pesticide per kg?
The average declared import value was about $5.72 per kg in 2024, close to the world average of $5.89 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 pesticide to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $433.2 million in 2017 to $482.0 million in 2024, an increase of 11%. The peak was 2022 at $720.2 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export pesticide?
Yes. South Africa exported $254.4 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Zambia, Zimbabwe and Namibia. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $227.7 million a year.
What is the HS code for pesticide?
The HS code for pesticide is heading 3808. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 3808.93 (42% of the value) and 3808.91 (31%). It sits in HS chapter 38 (chemical products n.e.c.). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 3808 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.
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