Radioactive element exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
South Africa exported $208.6 million of radioactive element in 2024 (824 tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. That is 77% more than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 16% a year on average.
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 | $208.6M | 824 t |
| 2023 | $117.6M | 907 t |
| 2022 | $94.2M | 560 t |
| 2021 | $78.2M | 612 t |
| 2020 | $52.7M | 366 t |
| 2019 | $46.1M | 469 t |
| 2018 | $43.2M | 500 t |
| 2017 | $75.3M | 527 t |
Where South Africa exports radioactive element to
Most of it went to United States (38%), Canada (29%), Brazil (4%). Among the main buyer markets, United States grew fastest (+240% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $78.9M | 38% |
| Canada | $61.3M | 29% |
| Brazil | $8.7M | 4.2% |
| Turkey | $7.7M | 3.7% |
| France | $7.3M | 3.5% |
| Poland | $7.0M | 3.4% |
| South Korea | $6.9M | 3.3% |
| Japan | $5.3M | 2.5% |
| China | $4.9M | 2.4% |
| Australia | $3.7M | 1.8% |
Product types under HS 2844
| 2844.10 | Uranium: natural uranium and its compounds, alloys, dispersions (including cermets), ceramic products and mixtures containing natural uranium or… | 42% |
| 2844.30 | Uranium: depleted in U235, thorium, their compounds, alloys, dispersions (including cermets), ceramic products and mixtures containing uranium… | 32% |
| 2844.40 | Radioactive elements, isotopes, compounds, n.e.c. in heading no. 2844 alloys, dispersions (including cermets), ceramic products and mixtures… | 26% |
| 2844.50 | Spent (irradiated) fuel elements (cartridges) of nuclear reactors | 0.2% |
| 2844.20 | Uranium: enriched in U235, plutonium, their compounds, alloys dispersions (including cermets), ceramic products and mixtures containing uranium… | 0% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 2844.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $253.10 per kg, close to the world average of $282.19.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Radioactive element imports to South Africa
Imports of radioactive element by South Africa reached $15.8 million in 2024 (48 tonnes). The largest suppliers were France (28%), United States (18%), Russia (13%). Among the main suppliers, Poland grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| France | $4.5M | 29% |
| United States | $2.9M | 18% |
| Russia | $2.0M | 13% |
| Germany | $1.8M | 11% |
| Netherlands | $1.4M | 8.6% |
| Canada | $1.1M | 7.3% |
| Australia | $765K | 4.9% |
| Poland | $434K | 2.8% |
| Finland | $204K | 1.3% |
| Czech Republic | $156K | 1% |
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 2844: Radioactive chemical elements and radioactive isotopes (including the fissile or fertile chemical elements and isotopes); and their compounds; mixtures and residues containing these products.
Common questions
What is the value of radioactive element exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported radioactive element worth $208.6 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 824 tonnes. That ranks it 13th of 122 countries worldwide, with 1% of world exports. The value was up 77% on 2023.
Which countries buy radioactive element from South Africa?
The United States was the largest buyer with 38% of the value ($78.9 million), followed by Canada (29%) and Brazil (4%). The top three together account for 71%, out of 73 buyer countries in total. The United States grew fastest among the top ten, up 240% on the year.
What is the average export price of radioactive element per kg?
The average declared export value was about $253.10 per kg in 2024, 10% below the world average of $282.19 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 radioactive element from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $75.3 million in 2017 to $208.6 million in 2024, an increase of 177%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import radioactive element?
Yes. South Africa imported $15.8 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from France, the United States and Russia. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $192.8 million a year.
What is the HS code for radioactive element?
The HS code for radioactive element is heading 2844. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 2844.10 (42% of the value) and 2844.30 (32%). It sits in HS chapter 28 (inorganic chemicals; organic and inorganic compounds of precious metals; of rare earth metals, of radio-active elements and of isotopes). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 2844 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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