Roofing tiles exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
In 2024, South Africa exported roofing tiles worth $2.2 million (3.7 thousand tonnes). Value rose 12% on 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 6% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2019, at $3.8 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 | $2.2M | 3.7K t |
| 2023 | $2.0M | 4.4K t |
| 2022 | $2.2M | 3.7K t |
| 2021 | $3.2M | 5.6K t |
| 2020 | $2.8M | 5.3K t |
| 2019 | $3.8M | 5.4K t |
| 2018 | $3.0M | 4.9K t |
| 2017 | $3.4M | 6.6K t |
Where South Africa exports roofing tiles to
Most of it went to Eswatini (39%), DR Congo (21%), Lesotho (12%). Among the main buyer markets, Malawi grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Eswatini | $883K | 40% |
| DR Congo | $459K | 21% |
| Lesotho | $263K | 12% |
| Tanzania | $141K | 6.3% |
| Namibia | $139K | 6.2% |
| Mozambique | $98K | 4.4% |
| Zambia | $57K | 2.6% |
| Botswana | $55K | 2.4% |
| Malawi | $52K | 2.3% |
| United Kingdom | $27K | 1.2% |
Product types under HS 6905
| 6905.10 | Ceramic roofing tiles | 84% |
| 6905.90 | Ceramic chimney-pots, cowls, chimney liners, architectural ornaments and other constructional goods (excluding roofing tiles) | 16% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 6905.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.61 per kg, 85% above the world average of $0.33. 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.
Roofing tiles imports to South Africa
Imports of roofing tiles by South Africa reached $353 thousand in 2024 (1.2 thousand tonnes). Italy alone supplied 52% of it. Among the main suppliers, Belgium grew fastest (+664% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Italy | $183K | 52% |
| Vietnam | $53K | 15% |
| China | $48K | 14% |
| India | $20K | 5.6% |
| Bangladesh | $17K | 4.8% |
| Belgium | $12K | 3.3% |
| Spain | $6K | 1.7% |
| Mexico | $5K | 1.4% |
| Germany | $3K | 0.8% |
| United Kingdom | $2K | 0.6% |
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 6905: Roofing tiles, chimney-pots, cowls, chimney liners, architectural ornaments and other ceramic constructional goods.
Common questions
What is the value of roofing tiles exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported roofing tiles worth $2.2 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 3.7 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 29th of 117 countries worldwide, with 0% of world exports. The value was up 12% on 2023.
Which countries buy roofing tiles from South Africa?
Eswatini was the largest buyer with 39% of the value ($883 thousand), followed by the DR Congo (21%) and Lesotho (12%). The top three together account for 72%, out of 23 buyer countries in total. The United Kingdom grew fastest among the top ten, up 413% on the year.
What is the average export price of roofing tiles per kg?
The average declared export value was about $0.61 per kg in 2024, 85% above the world average of $0.33 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 roofing tiles from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $3.4 million in 2017 to $2.2 million in 2024, a fall of 34%. The peak was 2019 at $3.8 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import roofing tiles?
Yes. South Africa imported $353 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Italy, Vietnam and China. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $1.9 million a year.
What is the HS code for roofing tiles?
The HS code for roofing tiles is heading 6905. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 6905.10 (84% of the value) and 6905.90 (16%). It sits in HS chapter 69 (ceramic products). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 6905 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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