Petroleum residue imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of petroleum residue by South Africa reached $256.7 million in 2024 (568.8 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Value fell 18% from 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 14% a year on average.
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 | $256.7M | 568.8K t |
| 2023 | $313.3M | 524.1K t |
| 2022 | $278.9M | 384.9K t |
| 2021 | $144.0M | 285.6K t |
| 2020 | $69.8M | 268.8K t |
| 2019 | $88.3M | 272.9K t |
| 2018 | $124.5M | 277.1K t |
| 2017 | $101.6M | 363.0K t |
Where South Africa imports petroleum residue from
Most of the value came from United States (30%), Bahrain (14%), Turkey (13%). Among the main suppliers, India grew fastest (+188% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $77.0M | 30% |
| Bahrain | $35.5M | 14% |
| Turkey | $33.4M | 13% |
| Brazil | $31.5M | 12% |
| Pakistan | $13.6M | 5.3% |
| India | $13.5M | 5.3% |
| Greece | $12.5M | 4.9% |
| Oman | $10.1M | 3.9% |
| Togo | $9.5M | 3.7% |
| United Arab Emirates | $6.2M | 2.4% |
Product types under HS 2713
| 2713.12 | Petroleum coke: calcined, obtained from bituminous minerals | 51% |
| 2713.20 | Petroleum bitumen: obtained from bituminous minerals | 49% |
| 2713.11 | Petroleum coke: (not calcined), obtained from bituminous minerals | 0.2% |
| 2713.90 | Residues: of petroleum oils or of oils obtained from bituminous minerals | 0% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 2713.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.45 per kg, 80% above the world average of $0.25. This usually points to higher-grade or processed goods.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Petroleum residue exports from South Africa
Exports of petroleum residue by South Africa reached $37.5 million in 2024 (42.0 thousand tonnes). Most of it went to Zimbabwe (47%), Mozambique (10%), Namibia (9%). Among the main buyer markets, DR Congo grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zimbabwe | $17.7M | 47% |
| Mozambique | $3.9M | 10% |
| Namibia | $3.3M | 8.7% |
| United States | $2.5M | 6.7% |
| Eswatini | $2.3M | 6.2% |
| Lesotho | $1.9M | 5.2% |
| DR Congo | $1.5M | 3.9% |
| Botswana | $1.3M | 3.6% |
| Malawi | $744K | 2% |
| Saudi Arabia | $678K | 1.8% |
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
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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 2713: Petroleum coke, petroleum bitumen; other residues of petroleum oils or oils obtained from bituminous minerals.
Common questions
What is the value of petroleum residue imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported petroleum residue worth $256.7 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 568.8 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 24th of 197 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was down 18% on 2023.
Which countries supply petroleum residue to South Africa?
The United States was the largest supplier with 30% of the value ($77.0 million), followed by Bahrain (14%) and Turkey (13%). The top three together account for 57%, out of 31 supplier countries in total. India grew fastest among the top ten, up 188% on the year.
What is the average import price of petroleum residue per kg?
The average declared import value was about $0.45 per kg in 2024, 80% above the world average of $0.25 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 petroleum residue to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $101.6 million in 2017 to $256.7 million in 2024, an increase of 153%. The peak was 2023 at $313.3 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export petroleum residue?
Yes. South Africa exported $37.5 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Namibia. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $219.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for petroleum residue?
The HS code for petroleum residue is heading 2713. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 2713.12 (51% of the value) and 2713.20 (49%). It sits in HS chapter 27 (mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation; bituminous substances; mineral waxes). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 2713 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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