Plant fiber imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $5.8 million of plant fiber in 2024 (13.3 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Value rose 9% on 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 10% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2021, at $7.4 million.
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 | $5.8M | 13.3K t |
| 2023 | $5.4M | 11.2K t |
| 2022 | $4.4M | 8.1K t |
| 2021 | $7.4M | 10.2K t |
| 2020 | $6.4M | 13.1K t |
| 2019 | $5.6M | 12.4K t |
| 2018 | $4.3M | 9.1K t |
| 2017 | $3.1M | 6.9K t |
Where South Africa imports plant fiber from
Most of the value came from Sri Lanka (49%), India (40%), Netherlands (4%). Among the main suppliers, Netherlands grew fastest (+181% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka | $2.9M | 49% |
| India | $2.4M | 41% |
| Netherlands | $211K | 3.6% |
| Brazil | $109K | 1.9% |
| China | $95K | 1.6% |
| United Kingdom | $60K | 1% |
| Tanzania | $53K | 0.9% |
| Estonia | $39K | 0.7% |
| Mozambique | $21K | 0.4% |
| Spain | $16K | 0.3% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.44 per kg, close to the world average of $0.46.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Plant fiber exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported plant fiber worth $474 thousand (349 tonnes). One buyer market dominates: Namibia accounted for 63% of the value. Among the main buyer markets, Ghana grew fastest (+233% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | $296K | 63% |
| Ghana | $48K | 10% |
| Zambia | $29K | 6.1% |
| Angola | $26K | 5.4% |
| Lesotho | $20K | 4.2% |
| Denmark | $19K | 4.1% |
| United Kingdom | $11K | 2.3% |
| Mozambique | $9K | 1.9% |
| Madagascar | $7K | 1.5% |
| United Arab Emirates | $3K | 0.7% |
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 5305: Coconut, abaca (Manila hemp or Musa textilis Nee), ramie and other vegetable textile fibres n.e.c., raw or processed but not spun; tow, noils and waste of these fibres (including yarn waste and garnetted stock).
Common questions
What is the value of plant fiber imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported plant fiber worth $5.8 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 13.3 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 22nd of 183 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 9% on 2023.
Which countries supply plant fiber to South Africa?
Sri Lanka was the largest supplier with 49% of the value ($2.9 million), followed by India (40%) and the Netherlands (4%). The top three together account for 93%, out of 17 supplier countries in total. The Netherlands grew fastest among the top ten, up 181% on the year.
What is the average import price of plant fiber per kg?
The average declared import value was about $0.44 per kg in 2024, close to the world average of $0.46 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 plant fiber to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $3.1 million in 2017 to $5.8 million in 2024, an increase of 89%. The peak was 2021 at $7.4 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export plant fiber?
Yes. South Africa exported $474 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Namibia, Ghana and Zambia. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $5.4 million a year.
What is the HS code for plant fiber?
The HS code for plant fiber is heading 5305. In South Africa all of this trade was declared under the six-digit code 5305.00. It sits in HS chapter 53 (vegetable textile fibres; paper yarn and woven fabrics of paper yarn). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 5305 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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