Plant-derived thickeners imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $8.3 million of plant-derived thickeners in 2024 (1.3 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Value fell 13% from 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 | $8.3M | 1.3K t |
| 2023 | $9.5M | 1.1K t |
| 2022 | $8.6M | 1.1K t |
| 2021 | $6.3M | 953 t |
| 2020 | $4.5M | 636 t |
| 2019 | $5.6M | 728 t |
| 2018 | $4.9M | 588 t |
| 2017 | $4.8M | 665 t |
Where South Africa imports plant-derived thickeners from
The largest suppliers were Spain (31%), Philippines (20%), India (11%). Among the main suppliers, Netherlands grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Spain | $2.6M | 31% |
| Philippines | $1.7M | 20% |
| India | $953K | 12% |
| China | $891K | 11% |
| Denmark | $612K | 7.4% |
| United States | $361K | 4.4% |
| Germany | $203K | 2.4% |
| Netherlands | $195K | 2.4% |
| Belgium | $179K | 2.2% |
| France | $132K | 1.6% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $6.38 per kg, 25% below the world average of $8.56, 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.
Plant-derived thickeners exports from South Africa
Exports of plant-derived thickeners by South Africa reached $722 thousand in 2024 (199 tonnes). Most of it went to DR Congo (25%), Finland (19%), Mauritius (10%). Among the main buyer markets, Angola grew fastest (+364% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| DR Congo | $179K | 25% |
| Finland | $136K | 19% |
| Mauritius | $76K | 11% |
| Netherlands | $58K | 8% |
| Nigeria | $57K | 7.9% |
| United Kingdom | $48K | 6.7% |
| Eswatini | $41K | 5.6% |
| Zimbabwe | $33K | 4.6% |
| Zambia | $31K | 4.3% |
| Angola | $13K | 1.8% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa plant-derived thickeners imports (HS 1302.39): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
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.
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 1302.39: Mucilages and thickeners: whether or not modified, derived from vegetable products, n.e.c. in item no. 1302.3.
Common questions
What is the value of plant-derived thickeners imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported plant-derived thickeners worth $8.3 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 1.3 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 37th of 176 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was down 13% on 2023.
Which countries supply plant-derived thickeners to South Africa?
Spain was the largest supplier with 31% of the value ($2.6 million), followed by the Philippines (20%) and India (11%). The top three together account for 63%, out of 30 supplier countries in total. India grew fastest among the top ten, up 464% on the year.
What is the average import price of plant-derived thickeners per kg?
The average declared import value was about $6.38 per kg in 2024, 25% below the world average of $8.56 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of plant-derived thickeners to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $4.8 million in 2017 to $8.3 million in 2024, an increase of 71%. The peak was 2023 at $9.5 million. Over 8 years the average was $6.6 million a year.
Does South Africa also export plant-derived thickeners?
Yes. South Africa exported $722 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to the DR Congo, Finland and Mauritius. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $7.6 million a year.
What is the HS code for plant-derived thickeners?
The HS code for plant-derived thickeners is subheading 1302.39. It sits in HS chapter 13 (lac; gums, resins and other vegetable saps and extracts). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 1302 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
EximDataX rebuilds South Africa trade from the customs records of its trading partners, so the companies shipping to and from it are visible. Ask for a live look at your product.
Same product, other countries
World plant-derived thickeners trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for South Africa
See what your buyers are buying.Then decide.
Everything we show you comes from official customs filings — records, not claims. 30 minutes. Your shipment. Your HS code. Real platform. If you don’t see something new about your market by the end of the call, we walk away. No follow-ups.