Pharmaceutical good imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of pharmaceutical good by South Africa reached $94.3 million in 2024 (1.1 thousand tonnes). That is 11% less than in 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 | $94.3M | 1.1K t |
| 2023 | $105.8M | 1.3K t |
| 2022 | $99.2M | 1.1K t |
| 2021 | $110.4M | 999 t |
| 2020 | $83.5M | 1.4K t |
| 2019 | $94.0M | 1.3K t |
| 2018 | $86.4M | 1.1K t |
| 2017 | $72.5M | 741 t |
Where South Africa imports pharmaceutical good from
The largest suppliers were Germany (22%), United States (13%), Netherlands (10%). Trade is spread widely: the top three suppliers together make up only 46%. Among the main suppliers, Netherlands grew fastest (+45% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | $21.0M | 22% |
| United States | $12.4M | 13% |
| Netherlands | $9.7M | 10% |
| Ireland | $6.6M | 7% |
| France | $5.0M | 5.3% |
| Hungary | $4.8M | 5.1% |
| Italy | $4.7M | 5% |
| India | $4.1M | 4.3% |
| Switzerland | $4.0M | 4.2% |
| Costa Rica | $2.5M | 2.7% |
Product types under HS 3006
| 3006.60 | Pharmaceutical goods: chemical contraceptive preparations based on hormones, on other products of heading 2937 or on spermicides | 28% |
| 3006.30 | Pharmaceutical goods: opacifying preparations for x-ray examinations, diagnostic reagents designed to be administered to the patient | 23% |
| 3006.10 | Pharmaceutical goods: sterile surgical catgut, suture materials, tissue adhesives, laminaria, laminaria tents, absorbable surgical or dental… | 20% |
| 3006.91 | Pharmaceutical goods: appliances identifiable for ostomy use | 11% |
| 3006.40 | Pharmaceutical goods: dental cements and other dental fillings, bone reconstruction cements | 11% |
| 3006.20 | Pharmaceutical goods: blood-grouping reagents | 5.5% |
| 3006.70 | Pharmaceutical goods: Gel preparations designed to be used in human or veterinary medicine as a lubricant for parts of the body for surgical… | 1.8% |
| 3006.50 | Pharmaceutical goods: first aid boxes and kits | 1.2% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 3006.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $85.85 per kg, close to the world average of $86.10.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Pharmaceutical good exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $10.8 million of pharmaceutical good in 2024 (478 tonnes). Most of it went to Namibia (16%), Uganda (16%), Kenya (11%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 43%. Among the main buyer markets, Zambia grew fastest (+365% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | $1.7M | 16% |
| Uganda | $1.7M | 16% |
| Kenya | $1.2M | 11% |
| Botswana | $1.0M | 9.5% |
| Zambia | $935K | 8.7% |
| Australia | $532K | 4.9% |
| Mauritius | $517K | 4.8% |
| Zimbabwe | $492K | 4.6% |
| Ghana | $291K | 2.7% |
| India | $249K | 2.3% |
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 3006: Pharmaceutical goods.
Common questions
What is the value of pharmaceutical good imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported pharmaceutical good worth $94.3 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 1.1 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 39th of 224 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 11% on 2023.
Which countries supply pharmaceutical good to South Africa?
Germany was the largest supplier with 22% of the value ($21.0 million), followed by the United States (13%) and the Netherlands (10%). The top three together account for 46%, out of 80 supplier countries in total. The Netherlands grew fastest among the top ten, up 45% on the year.
What is the average import price of pharmaceutical good per kg?
The average declared import value was about $85.85 per kg in 2024, close to the world average of $86.10 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 pharmaceutical good to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $72.5 million in 2017 to $94.3 million in 2024, an increase of 30%. The peak was 2021 at $110.4 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export pharmaceutical good?
Yes. South Africa exported $10.8 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Namibia, Uganda and Kenya. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $83.5 million a year.
What is the HS code for pharmaceutical good?
The HS code for pharmaceutical good is heading 3006. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 3006.60 (28% of the value) and 3006.30 (23%). It sits in HS chapter 30 (pharmaceutical products). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 3006 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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