Plaited products exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
Exports of plaited products by South Africa reached $2.9 million in 2024 (1.9 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. That is 27% more 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 .
Exports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2.9M | 1.9K t |
| 2023 | $2.3M | 1.4K t |
| 2022 | $2.8M | 1.7K t |
| 2021 | $2.4M | 1.4K t |
| 2020 | $2.0M | 1.3K t |
| 2019 | $3.2M | 1.6K t |
| 2018 | $2.8M | 1.3K t |
| 2017 | $2.5M | 1.2K t |
Where South Africa exports plaited products to
Most of it went to Portugal (27%), Italy (23%), Australia (9%). Among the main buyer markets, Portugal grew fastest (+134% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Portugal | $802K | 27% |
| Italy | $671K | 23% |
| Australia | $278K | 9.5% |
| Mexico | $259K | 8.8% |
| Saudi Arabia | $206K | 7% |
| France | $192K | 6.5% |
| United States | $120K | 4.1% |
| United Kingdom | $93K | 3.2% |
| Greece | $76K | 2.6% |
| Zimbabwe | $63K | 2.1% |
Product types under HS 4601
| 4601.99 | Plaiting materials, plaits and similar products of plaiting materials: products of non-vegetable materials | 51% |
| 4601.94 | Plaiting materials, plaits and similar products of plaiting materials: (not mats, matting or screens), of vegetable materials other than bamboo or… | 31% |
| 4601.29 | Plaiting materials, plaits and similar products of plaiting materials: mats, matting and screens, of vegetable materials other than bamboo or rattan | 12% |
| 4601.21 | Plaiting materials, plaits and similar products of plaiting materials: mats, matting and screens, of bamboo | 3.1% |
| 4601.93 | Plaiting materials, plaits and similar products of plaiting materials: (not mats, matting or screens), of rattan | 1% |
| 4601.92 | Plaiting materials, plaits and similar products of plaiting materials: (not mats, matting or screens), of bamboo | 0.5% |
| 4601.22 | Plaiting materials, plaits and similar products of plaiting materials: mats, matting and screens, of rattan | 0.3% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 4601.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.56 per kg, 42% below the world average of $2.70, 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.
Plaited products imports to South Africa
South Africa imported $1.6 million of plaited products in 2024 (280 tonnes). The largest suppliers were China (44%), France (19%), India (18%). Among the main suppliers, Denmark grew fastest (+960% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $680K | 44% |
| France | $300K | 19% |
| India | $272K | 18% |
| Vietnam | $117K | 7.5% |
| Denmark | $40K | 2.6% |
| Indonesia | $39K | 2.5% |
| Malaysia | $31K | 2% |
| Taiwan | $19K | 1.3% |
| Eswatini | $16K | 1% |
| Thailand | $10K | 0.6% |
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 4601: Plaits and similar products of plaiting materials, assembled into strips or not; plaiting materials, plaits and the like bound together in parallel strands or woven in sheet form, finished articles or not.
Common questions
What is the value of plaited products exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported plaited products worth $2.9 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 1.9 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 18th of 148 countries worldwide, with 1% of world exports. The value was up 27% on 2023.
Which countries buy plaited products from South Africa?
Portugal was the largest buyer with 27% of the value ($802 thousand), followed by Italy (23%) and Australia (9%). The top three together account for 60%, out of 47 buyer countries in total. Portugal grew fastest among the top ten, up 134% on the year.
What is the average export price of plaited products per kg?
The average declared export value was about $1.56 per kg in 2024, 42% below the world average of $2.70 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 plaited products from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $2.5 million in 2017 to $2.9 million in 2024, an increase of 19%. The peak was 2019 at $3.2 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import plaited products?
Yes. South Africa imported $1.6 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from China, France and India. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $1.4 million a year.
What is the HS code for plaited products?
The HS code for plaited products is heading 4601. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 4601.99 (51% of the value) and 4601.94 (31%). It sits in HS chapter 46 (manufactures of straw, esparto or other plaiting materials; basketware and wickerwork). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 4601 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.
Same product, other countries
More trade data for South Africa
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