Phenol exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
Exports of phenol by South Africa reached $44.2 million in 2024 (40.0 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. Value fell 4% from 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2022, at $59.7 million.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Exports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $44.2M | 40.0K t |
| 2023 | $46.1M | 38.3K t |
| 2022 | $59.7M | 37.7K t |
| 2021 | $46.0M | 36.8K t |
| 2020 | $33.7M | 36.5K t |
| 2019 | $45.5M | 39.8K t |
| 2018 | $53.4M | 38.8K t |
| 2017 | $37.9M | 36.7K t |
Where South Africa exports phenol to
One buyer market dominates: India accounted for 54% of the value.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| India | $23.8M | 54% |
| United Kingdom | $4.3M | 9.7% |
| Belgium | $4.2M | 9.5% |
| Taiwan | $3.3M | 7.5% |
| Brazil | $2.3M | 5.1% |
| Germany | $1.1M | 2.5% |
| Australia | $958K | 2.2% |
| Switzerland | $733K | 1.7% |
| New Zealand | $668K | 1.5% |
| Samoa | $505K | 1.1% |
Product types under HS 2907
| 2907.11 | Monophenols: phenol (hydroxybenzene) and its salts | 56% |
| 2907.12 | Monophenols: cresols and their salts | 41% |
| 2907.29 | Phenol-alcohols and polyphenols n.e.c. in item number 2907.2 | 2% |
| 2907.13 | Monophenols: octylphenol, nonylphenol and their isomers, salts thereof | 0.6% |
| 2907.19 | Monophenols: n.e.c. in item no. 2907.1 | 0.3% |
| 2907.23 | Polyphenols: 4,4'-isopropylidenediphenol (bisphenol A, diphenylolpropane) and its salts | 0.1% |
| 2907.22 | Polyphenols: hydroquinone (quinol) and its salts | 0% |
| 2907.21 | Polyphenols: resorcinol and its salts | 0% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 2907.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.11 per kg, 36% below the world average of $1.74, 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.
Phenol imports to South Africa
Imports of phenol by South Africa reached $7.3 million in 2024 (2.2 thousand tonnes). Most of the value came from France (20%), China (19%), Taiwan (16%). Among the main suppliers, Colombia grew fastest (+790% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| France | $1.5M | 20% |
| China | $1.4M | 19% |
| Taiwan | $1.2M | 16% |
| India | $827K | 11% |
| Germany | $690K | 9.5% |
| Colombia | $371K | 5.1% |
| United States | $338K | 4.7% |
| Indonesia | $310K | 4.3% |
| Zimbabwe | $253K | 3.5% |
| Netherlands | $155K | 2.1% |
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 2907: Phenols; monophenols, polyphenols, and phenol-alcohols.
Common questions
What is the value of phenol exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported phenol worth $44.2 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 40.0 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 20th of 100 countries worldwide, with 1% of world exports. The value was down 4% on 2023.
Which countries buy phenol from South Africa?
India was the largest buyer with 54% of the value ($23.8 million), followed by the United Kingdom (10%) and Belgium (10%). The top three together account for 73%, out of 41 buyer countries in total. Australia grew fastest among the top ten, up 173% on the year.
What is the average export price of phenol per kg?
The average declared export value was about $1.11 per kg in 2024, 36% below the world average of $1.74 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 exports of phenol from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $37.9 million in 2017 to $44.2 million in 2024, an increase of 17%. The peak was 2022 at $59.7 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import phenol?
Yes. South Africa imported $7.3 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from France, China and Taiwan. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $37.0 million a year.
What is the HS code for phenol?
The HS code for phenol is heading 2907. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 2907.11 (56% of the value) and 2907.12 (41%). It sits in HS chapter 29 (organic chemicals). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 2907 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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