Polycarboxylic acid imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $159.7 million of polycarboxylic acid in 2024 (187.9 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Value rose 7% on 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 11% a year on average.
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 | $159.7M | 187.9K t |
| 2023 | $149.6M | 174.5K t |
| 2022 | $164.5M | 173.6K t |
| 2021 | $142.9M | 188.1K t |
| 2020 | $89.8M | 160.7K t |
| 2019 | $157.5M | 188.1K t |
| 2018 | $147.6M | 161.3K t |
| 2017 | $78.8M | 104.9K t |
Where South Africa imports polycarboxylic acid from
China alone supplied 62% of it. Among the main suppliers, China grew fastest (+130% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $99.3M | 62% |
| Thailand | $37.2M | 23% |
| South Korea | $7.9M | 4.9% |
| Spain | $3.3M | 2% |
| Saudi Arabia | $3.0M | 1.9% |
| Taiwan | $2.7M | 1.7% |
| Austria | $1.6M | 1% |
| India | $1.3M | 0.8% |
| United States | $1.0M | 0.6% |
| Ireland | $687K | 0.4% |
Product types under HS 2917
| 2917.36 | Acids: aromatic polycarboxylic acids: terephthalic acid and its salts | 82% |
| 2917.39 | Acids: aromatic polycarboxylic acids: n.e.c. in item no. 2917.3 | 10% |
| 2917.19 | Acids: acyclic polycarboxylic acids: n.e.c. in item no. 2917.1 | 2.3% |
| 2917.35 | Acids: aromatic polycarboxylic acids: phthalic anhydride | 1.7% |
| 2917.12 | Acids: acyclic polycarboxylic acids: adipic acid, its salts and esters | 1.2% |
| 2917.14 | Acids: acyclic polycarboxylic acids: maleic anhydride | 1% |
| 2917.34 | Acids: aromatic polycarboxylic acids: other esters of orthophthalic acids | 0.5% |
| 2917.13 | Acids: acyclic polycarboxylic acids: azelaic acid, sebacic acid, their salts and esters | 0.5% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 2917.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.85 per kg, 23% below the world average of $1.11, 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.
Polycarboxylic acid exports from South Africa
Exports of polycarboxylic acid by South Africa reached $3.5 million in 2024 (1.2 thousand tonnes). Most of it went to United States (30%), Canada (14%), Argentina (11%). Among the main buyer markets, Argentina grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $1.0M | 30% |
| Canada | $482K | 14% |
| Argentina | $391K | 11% |
| Germany | $308K | 8.8% |
| Turkey | $227K | 6.5% |
| India | $166K | 4.7% |
| Tanzania | $141K | 4% |
| Guatemala | $117K | 3.3% |
| Zimbabwe | $112K | 3.2% |
| Zambia | $110K | 3.2% |
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 2917: Acids; polycarboxylic acids, their anhydrides, halides, peroxides and peroxy-acids; their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives.
Common questions
What is the value of polycarboxylic acid imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported polycarboxylic acid worth $159.7 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 187.9 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 29th of 194 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 7% on 2023.
Which countries supply polycarboxylic acid to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 62% of the value ($99.3 million), followed by Thailand (23%) and South Korea (5%). The top three together account for 90%, out of 33 supplier countries in total. Ireland grew fastest among the top ten, up 542% on the year.
What is the average import price of polycarboxylic acid per kg?
The average declared import value was about $0.85 per kg in 2024, 23% below the world average of $1.11 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 imports of polycarboxylic acid to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $78.8 million in 2017 to $159.7 million in 2024, an increase of 103%. The peak was 2022 at $164.5 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export polycarboxylic acid?
Yes. South Africa exported $3.5 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to the United States, Canada and Argentina. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $156.2 million a year.
What is the HS code for polycarboxylic acid?
The HS code for polycarboxylic acid is heading 2917. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 2917.36 (82% of the value) and 2917.39 (10%). It sits in HS chapter 29 (organic chemicals). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 2917 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
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