Sand exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
South Africa exported $11.2 million of sand in 2024 (57.7 thousand tonnes). Value rose 79% on 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable.
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 | $11.2M | 57.7K t |
| 2023 | $6.3M | 27.4K t |
| 2022 | $11.1M | 40.5K t |
| 2021 | $12.2M | 39.3K t |
| 2020 | $4.6M | 15.2K t |
| 2019 | $6.5M | 26.9K t |
| 2018 | $5.9M | 19.4K t |
| 2017 | $7.8M | 25.3K t |
Where South Africa exports sand to
Most of it went to Netherlands (44%), China (19%), Czech Republic (16%). Among the main buyer markets, Cote d'Ivoire grew fastest (+682% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | $4.9M | 44% |
| China | $2.2M | 20% |
| Czech Republic | $1.8M | 16% |
| Botswana | $422K | 3.8% |
| Mozambique | $305K | 2.7% |
| Cote d'Ivoire | $264K | 2.4% |
| DR Congo | $232K | 2.1% |
| Zambia | $128K | 1.1% |
| Tunisia | $97K | 0.9% |
| Germany | $87K | 0.8% |
Product types under HS 2505
| 2505.90 | Sands: natural, (other than silica and quartz sands), whether or not coloured, (other than metal-bearing sands of chapter 26) | 89% |
| 2505.10 | Sands: natural, silica and quartz sands, whether or not coloured | 11% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 2505.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.19 per kg, 850% above the world average of $0.02. 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.
Sand imports to South Africa
South Africa imported $1.0 million of sand in 2024 (6.0 thousand tonnes). The largest suppliers were Turkey (35%), China (17%), France (14%). Among the main suppliers, China grew fastest (+62% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey | $368K | 35% |
| China | $181K | 17% |
| France | $150K | 14% |
| Belgium | $94K | 9.1% |
| Germany | $38K | 3.6% |
| United Arab Emirates | $37K | 3.6% |
| India | $34K | 3.3% |
| United States | $28K | 2.7% |
| United Kingdom | $24K | 2.3% |
| Australia | $22K | 2.1% |
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 2505: Sands of all kinds; natural, whether or not coloured, other than metal-bearing sands of chapter 26.
Common questions
What is the value of sand exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported sand worth $11.2 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 57.7 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 28th of 177 countries worldwide, with 0% of world exports. The value was up 79% on 2023.
Which countries buy sand from South Africa?
The Netherlands was the largest buyer with 44% of the value ($4.9 million), followed by China (19%) and the Czech Republic (16%). The top three together account for 79%, out of 67 buyer countries in total. Cote d'Ivoire grew fastest among the top ten, up 682% on the year.
What is the average export price of sand per kg?
The average declared export value was about $0.19 per kg in 2024, 850% above the world average of $0.02 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 sand from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $7.8 million in 2017 to $11.2 million in 2024, an increase of 43%. The peak was 2021 at $12.2 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import sand?
Yes. South Africa imported $1.0 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Turkey, China and France. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $10.2 million a year.
What is the HS code for sand?
The HS code for sand is heading 2505. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 2505.90 (89% of the value) and 2505.10 (11%). It sits in HS chapter 25 (salt; sulphur; earths, stone; plastering materials, lime and cement). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 2505 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
See what your buyers are buying.Then decide.
Everything we show you comes from official customs filings — records, not claims. 30 minutes. Your shipment. Your HS code. Real platform. If you don’t see something new about your market by the end of the call, we walk away. No follow-ups.