Pure sucrose exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
South Africa exported $125.1 million of pure sucrose in 2024 (131.5 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. Value rose 7% on 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2019, at $172.6 million.
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 | $125.1M | 131.5K t |
| 2023 | $116.7M | 152.9K t |
| 2022 | $86.0M | 154.5K t |
| 2021 | $118.0M | 244.9K t |
| 2020 | $137.1M | 312.2K t |
| 2019 | $172.6M | 490.3K t |
| 2018 | $153.3M | 390.8K t |
| 2017 | $123.8M | 242.5K t |
Where South Africa exports pure sucrose to
One buyer market dominates: Namibia accounted for 56% of the value. Among the main buyer markets, Madagascar grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | $69.8M | 56% |
| Botswana | $31.2M | 25% |
| United Kingdom | $8.7M | 7% |
| Madagascar | $8.3M | 6.6% |
| Zimbabwe | $2.4M | 1.9% |
| Mozambique | $1.6M | 1.3% |
| Malawi | $1.0M | 0.8% |
| Lesotho | $566K | 0.5% |
| United States | $379K | 0.3% |
| Netherlands | $272K | 0.2% |
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.95 per kg, 40% above the world average of $0.68. This usually points to higher-grade or processed goods.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Pure sucrose imports to South Africa
Imports of pure sucrose by South Africa reached $103.8 million in 2024 (130.8 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Brazil alone supplied 76% of it. Among the main suppliers, Brazil grew fastest (+61% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Brazil | $78.6M | 76% |
| Eswatini | $15.6M | 15% |
| Belgium | $2.4M | 2.3% |
| India | $1.7M | 1.6% |
| Poland | $1.3M | 1.3% |
| France | $1.0M | 1% |
| Malawi | $691K | 0.7% |
| Morocco | $562K | 0.5% |
| Mauritius | $522K | 0.5% |
| United Kingdom | $412K | 0.4% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa pure sucrose exports (HS 1701.99): 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 1701.99: Sugars: sucrose, chemically pure, in solid form, not containing added flavouring or colouring matter.
Common questions
What is the value of pure sucrose exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported pure sucrose worth $125.1 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 131.5 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 28th of 159 countries worldwide, with 1% of world exports. The value was up 7% on 2023.
Which countries buy pure sucrose from South Africa?
Namibia was the largest buyer with 56% of the value ($69.8 million), followed by Botswana (25%) and the United Kingdom (7%). The top three together account for 88%, out of 49 buyer countries in total. The Netherlands grew fastest among the top ten, up 256% on the year.
What is the average export price of pure sucrose per kg?
The average declared export value was about $0.95 per kg in 2024, 40% above the world average of $0.68 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have exports of pure sucrose from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $123.8 million in 2017 to $125.1 million in 2024, an increase of 1%. The peak was 2019 at $172.6 million. Over 8 years the average was $129.1 million a year.
Does South Africa also import pure sucrose?
Yes. South Africa imported $103.8 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Brazil, Eswatini and Belgium. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $21.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for pure sucrose?
The HS code for pure sucrose is subheading 1701.99. It sits in HS chapter 17 (sugars and sugar confectionery). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 1701 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
EximDataX rebuilds South Africa trade from the customs records of its trading partners, so the companies shipping to and from it are visible. Ask for a live look at your product.
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