Plastic hose exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
South Africa exported $139.1 million of plastic hose in 2024 (48.2 thousand tonnes). That is 4% 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 .
Exports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $139.1M | 48.2K t |
| 2023 | $144.3M | 51.3K t |
| 2022 | $162.5M | 54.7K t |
| 2021 | $139.9M | 48.0K t |
| 2020 | $102.9M | 41.1K t |
| 2019 | $110.5M | 41.1K t |
| 2018 | $124.7M | 41.1K t |
| 2017 | $121.2M | 43.7K t |
Where South Africa exports plastic hose to
Most of it went to Zambia (17%), Namibia (15%), Eswatini (11%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 43%. Among the main buyer markets, Malawi grew fastest (+125% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zambia | $23.5M | 17% |
| Namibia | $21.0M | 15% |
| Eswatini | $15.6M | 11% |
| Botswana | $15.0M | 11% |
| DR Congo | $11.0M | 7.9% |
| Mozambique | $10.9M | 7.8% |
| Zimbabwe | $9.6M | 6.9% |
| Lesotho | $6.1M | 4.4% |
| Australia | $5.3M | 3.8% |
| Malawi | $4.2M | 3% |
Product types under HS 3917
| 3917.21 | Plastics: tubes, pipes and hoses thereof, rigid, of polymers of ethylene | 27% |
| 3917.39 | Plastics: tubes, pipes and hoses thereof, n.e.c. in item no. 3917.30 | 22% |
| 3917.29 | Plastics: tubes, pipes and hoses thereof, rigid, of plastics n.e.c. in heading no. 3917 | 18% |
| 3917.40 | Plastics: tube, pipe and hose fittings (e.g. joints, elbows, flanges) | 16% |
| 3917.23 | Plastics: tubes, pipes and hoses thereof, rigid, of polymers of vinyl chloride | 6.6% |
| 3917.10 | Plastics: artificial guts (sausage casings) of hardened protein or of cellulosic materials | 4.1% |
| 3917.32 | Plastics: tubes, pipes and hoses thereof, other than those of item no. 3917.31, not reinforced or otherwise combined with other materials, without… | 2.3% |
| 3917.31 | Plastics: tubes, pipes and hoses thereof, flexible, having a minimum burst pressure of 27.6MPa | 2.1% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 3917.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $2.89 per kg, 53% below the world average of $6.11, 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.
Plastic hose imports to South Africa
Imports of plastic hose by South Africa reached $136.5 million in 2024 (28.3 thousand tonnes). The largest suppliers were China (24%), Botswana (11%), Spain (10%). Trade is spread widely: the top three suppliers together make up only 45%. Among the main suppliers, China grew fastest (+42% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $32.1M | 24% |
| Botswana | $15.6M | 12% |
| Spain | $13.2M | 9.7% |
| Germany | $10.3M | 7.6% |
| Italy | $9.7M | 7.1% |
| United Kingdom | $7.6M | 5.6% |
| France | $6.8M | 5% |
| United States | $4.9M | 3.6% |
| Czech Republic | $4.6M | 3.4% |
| Poland | $4.0M | 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 3917: Tubes, pipes and hoses and fittings thereof (for example, joints, elbows, flanges), of plastics.
Common questions
What is the value of plastic hose exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported plastic hose worth $139.1 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 48.2 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 36th of 217 countries worldwide, with 0% of world exports. The value was down 4% on 2023.
Which countries buy plastic hose from South Africa?
Zambia was the largest buyer with 17% of the value ($23.5 million), followed by Namibia (15%) and Eswatini (11%). The top three together account for 43%, out of 128 buyer countries in total. Malawi grew fastest among the top ten, up 125% on the year.
What is the average export price of plastic hose per kg?
The average declared export value was about $2.89 per kg in 2024, 53% below the world average of $6.11 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 plastic hose from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $121.2 million in 2017 to $139.1 million in 2024, an increase of 15%. The peak was 2022 at $162.5 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import plastic hose?
Yes. South Africa imported $136.5 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from China, Botswana and Spain. That compares with exports of $139.1 million in the same year.
What is the HS code for plastic hose?
The HS code for plastic hose is heading 3917. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 3917.21 (27% of the value) and 3917.39 (22%). It sits in HS chapter 39 (plastics and articles thereof). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 3917 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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