Prefabricated buildings exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
South Africa exported $57.1 million of prefabricated buildings in 2024 (16.7 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 0%. Value fell 4% from 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 | $57.1M | 16.7K t |
| 2023 | $59.3M | 15.3K t |
| 2022 | $48.9M | 14.4K t |
| 2021 | $43.3M | 12.8K t |
| 2020 | $34.7M | 12.9K t |
| 2019 | $40.3M | 14.0K t |
| 2018 | $47.8M | 12.6K t |
| 2017 | $47.5M | 14.1K t |
Where South Africa exports prefabricated buildings to
The largest buyer markets were Zambia (15%), Botswana (11%), Cote d'Ivoire (8%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 34%. Among the main buyer markets, Ghana grew fastest (+332% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zambia | $8.4M | 15% |
| Botswana | $6.5M | 11% |
| Cote d'Ivoire | $4.5M | 8% |
| DR Congo | $4.4M | 7.8% |
| Mozambique | $4.3M | 7.6% |
| Zimbabwe | $3.0M | 5.2% |
| Tanzania | $2.9M | 5.1% |
| Ghana | $2.8M | 4.9% |
| Gabon | $2.7M | 4.7% |
| Lesotho | $1.8M | 3.1% |
Product types under HS 9406
| 9406.90 | Buildings: prefabricated, not of wood | 98% |
| 9406.10 | Buildings: prefabricated, of wood | 2.2% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 9406.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $3.42 per kg, close to the world average of $2.98.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Prefabricated buildings imports to South Africa
South Africa imported $14.3 million of prefabricated buildings in 2024 (3.9 thousand tonnes). One supplier dominates: China accounted for 70% of the value. Among the main suppliers, Spain grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $10.0M | 70% |
| Israel | $1.0M | 7.1% |
| Spain | $542K | 3.8% |
| Netherlands | $511K | 3.6% |
| United States | $494K | 3.5% |
| Lesotho | $321K | 2.3% |
| India | $270K | 1.9% |
| Poland | $197K | 1.4% |
| Italy | $188K | 1.3% |
| Belgium | $114K | 0.8% |
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 9406: Buildings; prefabricated.
Common questions
What is the value of prefabricated buildings exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported prefabricated buildings worth $57.1 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 16.7 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 33rd of 167 countries worldwide, with 0% of world exports. The value was down 4% on 2023.
Which countries buy prefabricated buildings from South Africa?
Zambia was the largest buyer with 15% of the value ($8.4 million), followed by Botswana (11%) and Cote d'Ivoire (8%). The top three together account for 34%, out of 52 buyer countries in total. Ghana grew fastest among the top ten, up 332% on the year.
What is the average export price of prefabricated buildings per kg?
The average declared export value was about $3.42 per kg in 2024, 15% above the world average of $2.98 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 prefabricated buildings from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $47.5 million in 2017 to $57.1 million in 2024, an increase of 20%. The peak was 2023 at $59.3 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import prefabricated buildings?
Yes. South Africa imported $14.3 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from China, Israel and Spain. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $42.9 million a year.
What is the HS code for prefabricated buildings?
The HS code for prefabricated buildings is heading 9406. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 9406.90 (98% of the value) and 9406.10 (2%). It sits in HS chapter 94 (furniture; bedding, mattresses, mattress supports, cushions and similar stuffed furnishings; lamps and lighting fittings, n.e.c.; illuminated signs, illuminated name-plates and the like; prefabricated buildings). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 9406 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.
More trade data for South Africa
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