Quaternary ammonium compounds imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of quaternary ammonium compounds by South Africa reached $9.5 million in 2024 (4.6 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. That is 49% less than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 6% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2022, at $41.0 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 | $9.5M | 4.6K t |
| 2023 | $18.8M | 11.0K t |
| 2022 | $41.0M | 15.6K t |
| 2021 | $23.8M | 8.7K t |
| 2020 | $27.1M | 8.9K t |
| 2019 | $13.0M | 5.7K t |
| 2018 | $17.2M | 6.3K t |
| 2017 | $14.6M | 6.4K t |
Where South Africa imports quaternary ammonium compounds from
One supplier dominates: China accounted for 62% of the value. Among the main suppliers, France grew fastest (+511% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $5.9M | 62% |
| United States | $1.2M | 13% |
| France | $992K | 10% |
| India | $543K | 5.7% |
| Belgium | $264K | 2.8% |
| Germany | $144K | 1.5% |
| Finland | $109K | 1.2% |
| Denmark | $97K | 1% |
| Spain | $96K | 1% |
| Netherlands | $87K | 0.9% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $2.09 per kg, close to the world average of $2.59.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Quaternary ammonium compounds exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported quaternary ammonium compounds worth $6.6 million (4.2 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. Tanzania alone took 59% of it. Among the main buyer markets, Uganda grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Tanzania | $3.9M | 59% |
| Burkina Faso | $429K | 6.5% |
| Germany | $413K | 6.3% |
| Uganda | $345K | 5.2% |
| Ghana | $317K | 4.8% |
| Nigeria | $309K | 4.7% |
| Mozambique | $215K | 3.3% |
| Malawi | $169K | 2.6% |
| Zimbabwe | $136K | 2.1% |
| Zambia | $122K | 1.9% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa quaternary ammonium compounds imports (HS 2923.90): 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 2923.90: Quaternary ammonium salts and hydroxides: whether or not chemically defined n.e.c. in heading no. 2923.
Common questions
What is the value of quaternary ammonium compounds imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported quaternary ammonium compounds worth $9.5 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 4.6 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 28th of 178 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was down 49% on 2023.
Which countries supply quaternary ammonium compounds to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 62% of the value ($5.9 million), followed by the United States (12%) and France (10%). The top three together account for 85%, out of 22 supplier countries in total. France grew fastest among the top ten, up 511% on the year.
What is the average import price of quaternary ammonium compounds per kg?
The average declared import value was about $2.09 per kg in 2024, 19% below the world average of $2.59 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of quaternary ammonium compounds to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $14.6 million in 2017 to $9.5 million in 2024, a fall of 35%. The peak was 2022 at $41.0 million. Over 8 years the average was $20.6 million a year.
Does South Africa also export quaternary ammonium compounds?
Yes. South Africa exported $6.6 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Tanzania, Burkina Faso and Germany. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $2.9 million a year.
What is the HS code for quaternary ammonium compounds?
The HS code for quaternary ammonium compounds is subheading 2923.90. It sits in HS chapter 29 (organic chemicals). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 2923 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
For South Africa, EximDataX reads the shipment records of the countries that trade with it and shows the companies on both sides. We can walk you through your product on a short call.
Same product, other countries
World quaternary ammonium compounds trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for South Africa
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