Portland cement exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
South Africa exported $107.1 million of portland cement in 2024 (1.27 million tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. Value rose 10% on 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
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Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $107.1M | 1.27M t |
| 2023 | $97.0M | 1.09M t |
| 2022 | $102.7M | 1.05M t |
| 2021 | $116.2M | 1.27M t |
| 2020 | $95.4M | 1.16M t |
| 2019 | $123.0M | 1.26M t |
| 2018 | $111.0M | 1.17M t |
| 2017 | $96.0M | 1.20M t |
Where South Africa exports portland cement to
Most of it went to Botswana (49%), Lesotho (23%), Eswatini (13%).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Botswana | $52.0M | 49% |
| Lesotho | $24.5M | 23% |
| Eswatini | $14.2M | 13% |
| Zimbabwe | $10.6M | 9.9% |
| France | $2.8M | 2.6% |
| Mozambique | $1.7M | 1.6% |
| Brazil | $193K | 0.2% |
| Saint Helena | $178K | 0.2% |
| Zambia | $142K | 0.1% |
| Tanzania | $133K | 0.1% |
Product types under HS 2523
| 2523.29 | Cement: portland, other than white, whether or not artificially coloured | 69% |
| 2523.10 | Cement clinkers (whether or not coloured) | 22% |
| 2523.21 | Cement: portland, white, whether or not artificially coloured | 7.9% |
| 2523.90 | Cement: hydraulic kinds n.e.c. in heading no. 2523 | 0.6% |
| 2523.30 | Cement: aluminous (ciment fondu), whether or not coloured or in the form of clinkers | 0.2% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 2523.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.08 per kg, close to the world average of $0.07.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Portland cement imports to South Africa
In 2024, South Africa imported portland cement worth $81.0 million (1.71 million tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. One supplier dominates: Vietnam accounted for 56% of the value. Among the main suppliers, Mozambique grew fastest (+316% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Vietnam | $45.5M | 56% |
| United Arab Emirates | $12.2M | 15% |
| Mozambique | $5.4M | 6.7% |
| Namibia | $3.8M | 4.7% |
| United Kingdom | $3.6M | 4.4% |
| Saudi Arabia | $1.6M | 2% |
| France | $1.6M | 1.9% |
| Pakistan | $1.5M | 1.9% |
| China | $1.2M | 1.5% |
| Turkey | $1.1M | 1.4% |
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
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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 2523: Portland cement, aluminous cement (ciment fondu), slag cement, supersulphate cement and similar hydraulic cements, whether or not coloured or in the form of clinkers.
Common questions
What is the value of portland cement exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported portland cement worth $107.1 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 1.27 million tonnes. That ranks it 36th of 160 countries worldwide, with 1% of world exports. The value was up 10% on 2023.
Which countries buy portland cement from South Africa?
Botswana was the largest buyer with 49% of the value ($52.0 million), followed by Lesotho (23%) and Eswatini (13%). The top three together account for 85%, out of 44 buyer countries in total. Mozambique grew fastest among the top ten, up 868% on the year.
What is the average export price of portland cement per kg?
The average declared export value was about $0.08 per kg in 2024, 14% above the world average of $0.07 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 portland cement from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $96.0 million in 2017 to $107.1 million in 2024, an increase of 12%. The peak was 2019 at $123.0 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import portland cement?
Yes. South Africa imported $81.0 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Vietnam, the United Arab Emirates and Mozambique. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $26.0 million a year.
What is the HS code for portland cement?
The HS code for portland cement is heading 2523. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 2523.29 (69% of the value) and 2523.10 (22%). It sits in HS chapter 25 (salt; sulphur; earths, stone; plastering materials, lime and cement). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 2523 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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