Refined petroleum products imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported refined petroleum products worth $12.31 billion (17.92 million tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. That is 21% less than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 16% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2022, at $18.62 billion.
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 | $12.31B | 17.92M t |
| 2023 | $15.48B | 20.50M t |
| 2022 | $18.62B | 20.51M t |
| 2021 | $8.11B | 15.63M t |
| 2020 | $3.54B | 9.81M t |
| 2019 | $4.37B | 8.38M t |
| 2018 | $4.48B | 7.95M t |
| 2017 | $4.41B | 9.36M t |
Where South Africa imports refined petroleum products from
Most of the value came from Oman (23%), India (20%), United Arab Emirates (19%). Among the main suppliers, Kuwait grew fastest (+265% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Oman | $2.81B | 23% |
| India | $2.51B | 20% |
| United Arab Emirates | $2.36B | 19% |
| Saudi Arabia | $989.6M | 8% |
| Bahrain | $921.5M | 7.5% |
| Kuwait | $782.2M | 6.4% |
| Italy | $355.2M | 2.9% |
| Netherlands | $260.1M | 2.1% |
| Belgium | $242.9M | 2% |
| Malaysia | $180.1M | 1.5% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.69 per kg, close to the world average of $0.74.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Refined petroleum products exports from South Africa
Exports of refined petroleum products by South Africa reached $2.19 billion in 2024 (2.64 million tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Botswana (30%), Eswatini (11%), Lesotho (9%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 50%. Among the main buyer markets, Angola grew fastest (+372% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Botswana | $665.5M | 30% |
| Eswatini | $235.3M | 11% |
| Lesotho | $194.1M | 8.9% |
| Zimbabwe | $125.0M | 5.7% |
| Zambia | $103.5M | 4.7% |
| Liberia | $98.6M | 4.5% |
| Angola | $87.7M | 4% |
| DR Congo | $87.7M | 4% |
| Mozambique | $81.2M | 3.7% |
| Mauritius | $76.4M | 3.5% |
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 2710: Petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude; preparations n.e.c, containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals; these being the basic constituents of the preparations; waste oils.
Common questions
What is the value of refined petroleum products imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported refined petroleum products worth $12.31 billion in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 17.92 million tonnes. That ranks it 18th of 226 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was down 21% on 2023.
Which countries supply refined petroleum products to South Africa?
Oman was the largest supplier with 23% of the value ($2.81 billion), followed by India (20%) and the United Arab Emirates (19%). The top three together account for 62%, out of 105 supplier countries in total. Kuwait grew fastest among the top ten, up 265% on the year.
What is the average import price of refined petroleum products per kg?
The average declared import value was about $0.69 per kg in 2024, 7% below the world average of $0.74 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 imports of refined petroleum products to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $4.41 billion in 2017 to $12.31 billion in 2024, an increase of 179%. The peak was 2022 at $18.62 billion. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export refined petroleum products?
Yes. South Africa exported $2.19 billion worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Botswana, Eswatini and Lesotho. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $10.12 billion a year.
What is the HS code for refined petroleum products?
The HS code for refined petroleum products is heading 2710. In South Africa all of this trade was declared under the six-digit code 2710.00. It sits in HS chapter 27 (mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation; bituminous substances; mineral waxes). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 2710 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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