Renewable energy generator sets imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $17.5 million of renewable energy generator sets in 2024 (270 tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Value fell 88% from 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 29% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2017, at $196.6 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 | $17.5M | 270 t |
| 2023 | $148.0M | 540 t |
| 2022 | $147.7M | 548 t |
| 2021 | $5.7M | 62 t |
| 2020 | $9.1M | 124 t |
| 2019 | $15.6M | 424 t |
| 2018 | $6.7M | 461 t |
| 2017 | $196.6M | 8.3K t |
Where South Africa imports renewable energy generator sets from
China alone supplied 74% of it.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $13.0M | 74% |
| Belgium | $1.5M | 8.4% |
| Brazil | $1.0M | 6% |
| Hungary | $747K | 4.3% |
| Germany | $646K | 3.7% |
| Sweden | $107K | 0.6% |
| United Kingdom | $92K | 0.5% |
| Portugal | $88K | 0.5% |
| Taiwan | $57K | 0.3% |
| United States | $54K | 0.3% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $64.68 per kg, 376% above the world average of $13.59. 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.
Renewable energy generator sets exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported renewable energy generator sets worth $8.8 million (477 tonnes). Most of it went to Zimbabwe (42%), Botswana (20%), Zambia (13%). Among the main buyer markets, Zambia grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zimbabwe | $3.7M | 42% |
| Botswana | $1.8M | 20% |
| Zambia | $1.2M | 13% |
| Namibia | $823K | 9.3% |
| Lesotho | $383K | 4.3% |
| Romania | $196K | 2.2% |
| France | $188K | 2.1% |
| Mozambique | $184K | 2.1% |
| Eswatini | $115K | 1.3% |
| DR Congo | $47K | 0.5% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa renewable energy generator sets imports (HS 8502.39): 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 8502.39: Electric generating sets: (excluding those with spark-ignition or compression-ignition internal combustion piston engines), other than wind powered.
Common questions
What is the value of renewable energy generator sets imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported renewable energy generator sets worth $17.5 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 270 tonnes. That ranks it 43rd of 205 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was down 88% on 2023.
Which countries supply renewable energy generator sets to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 74% of the value ($13.0 million), followed by Belgium (8%) and Brazil (6%). The top three together account for 89%, out of 29 supplier countries in total.
What is the average import price of renewable energy generator sets per kg?
The average declared import value was about $64.68 per kg in 2024, 376% above the world average of $13.59 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of renewable energy generator sets to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $196.6 million in 2017 to $17.5 million in 2024, a fall of 91%. The peak was 2017 at $196.6 million. Over 8 years the average was $68.3 million a year.
Does South Africa also export renewable energy generator sets?
Yes. South Africa exported $8.8 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $8.6 million a year.
What is the HS code for renewable energy generator sets?
The HS code for renewable energy generator sets is subheading 8502.39. It sits in HS chapter 85 (electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers; television image and sound recorders and reproducers, parts and accessories of such articles). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 8502 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 renewable energy generator sets trade: top importers and exporters
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