Propylene glycol imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $16.2 million of propylene glycol in 2024 (12.6 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. That is 10% less than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2021, at $33.4 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 | $16.2M | 12.6K t |
| 2023 | $18.0M | 13.6K t |
| 2022 | $30.8M | 13.2K t |
| 2021 | $33.4M | 15.3K t |
| 2020 | $11.7M | 10.3K t |
| 2019 | $17.1M | 13.0K t |
| 2018 | $18.3M | 12.1K t |
| 2017 | $13.4M | 11.5K t |
Where South Africa imports propylene glycol from
One supplier dominates: China accounted for 53% of the value.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $8.5M | 53% |
| Saudi Arabia | $3.2M | 20% |
| South Korea | $1.7M | 11% |
| Germany | $1.2M | 7.2% |
| Singapore | $871K | 5.4% |
| United States | $144K | 0.9% |
| Taiwan | $115K | 0.7% |
| United Arab Emirates | $111K | 0.7% |
| India | $100K | 0.6% |
| Belgium | $96K | 0.6% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.28 per kg, close to the world average of $1.34.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Propylene glycol exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported propylene glycol worth $1.1 million (629 tonnes). Most of it went to Turkey (20%), Mauritius (14%), Zimbabwe (12%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 47%. Among the main buyer markets, DR Congo grew fastest (+890% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey | $220K | 20% |
| Mauritius | $156K | 14% |
| Zimbabwe | $132K | 12% |
| Zambia | $109K | 10% |
| Botswana | $99K | 9% |
| Namibia | $59K | 5.4% |
| Mozambique | $58K | 5.3% |
| DR Congo | $55K | 5.1% |
| Malawi | $53K | 4.9% |
| China | $35K | 3.2% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa propylene glycol imports (HS 2905.32): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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Mirror data: built from the shipment records of the countries that trade with it.
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 2905.32: Alcohols: acyclic, diols: propylene glycol (propane-1, 2-diol).
Common questions
What is the value of propylene glycol imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported propylene glycol worth $16.2 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 12.6 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 30th of 188 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was down 10% on 2023.
Which countries supply propylene glycol to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 53% of the value ($8.5 million), followed by Saudi Arabia (20%) and South Korea (11%). The top three together account for 83%, out of 23 supplier countries in total. The United States grew fastest among the top ten, up 71% on the year.
What is the average import price of propylene glycol per kg?
The average declared import value was about $1.28 per kg in 2024, close to the world average of $1.34 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of propylene glycol to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $13.4 million in 2017 to $16.2 million in 2024, an increase of 21%. The peak was 2021 at $33.4 million. Over 8 years the average was $19.9 million a year.
Does South Africa also export propylene glycol?
Yes. South Africa exported $1.1 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Turkey, Mauritius and Zimbabwe. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $15.1 million a year.
What is the HS code for propylene glycol?
The HS code for propylene glycol is subheading 2905.32. It sits in HS chapter 29 (organic chemicals). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 2905 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
The totals here are public statistics; EximDataX adds the company names by reading partner countries' customs records for South Africa. Tell us your product to see it live.
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