Slaked lime exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
South Africa exported $2.0 million of slaked lime in 2024 (10.6 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. The value was almost unchanged from 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 13% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2019, at $6.6 million.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Exports by year, 2017-2024
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Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2.0M | 10.6K t |
| 2023 | $2.1M | 13.1K t |
| 2022 | $2.0M | 9.5K t |
| 2021 | $1.6M | 9.0K t |
| 2020 | $1.7M | 11.0K t |
| 2019 | $6.6M | 30.1K t |
| 2018 | $3.4M | 18.2K t |
| 2017 | $5.5M | 16.0K t |
Where South Africa exports slaked lime to
One buyer market dominates: Zimbabwe accounted for 61% of the value. Among the main buyer markets, Zimbabwe grew fastest (+265% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zimbabwe | $1.2M | 61% |
| Eswatini | $442K | 22% |
| Mozambique | $168K | 8.3% |
| Botswana | $72K | 3.6% |
| Namibia | $52K | 2.6% |
| Mauritius | $27K | 1.3% |
| Malawi | $15K | 0.7% |
| DR Congo | $11K | 0.5% |
| Lesotho | $9K | 0.4% |
| Kenya | $2K | 0.1% |
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.19 per kg, close to the world average of $0.21.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Slaked lime imports to South Africa
South Africa imported $475 thousand of slaked lime in 2024 (1.3 thousand tonnes). Most of the value came from Malaysia (43%), Belgium (42%), United Kingdom (14%). Among the main suppliers, Malaysia grew fastest (+178% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Malaysia | $202K | 43% |
| Belgium | $199K | 42% |
| United Kingdom | $68K | 14% |
| France | $5K | 1% |
| Germany | $1K | 0.3% |
| India | $1K | 0.2% |
| Denmark | $0K | 0% |
| Namibia | $0K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa slaked lime exports (HS 2522.20): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
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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 2522.20: Slaked lime: excluding calcium oxide and hydroxide of heading no. 2825.
Common questions
What is the value of slaked lime exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported slaked lime worth $2.0 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 10.6 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 30th of 104 countries worldwide, with 1% of world exports. The value was down 2% on 2023.
Which countries buy slaked lime from South Africa?
Zimbabwe was the largest buyer with 61% of the value ($1.2 million), followed by Eswatini (22%) and Mozambique (8%). The top three together account for 91%, out of 12 buyer countries in total. Zimbabwe grew fastest among the top ten, up 265% on the year.
What is the average export price of slaked lime per kg?
The average declared export value was about $0.19 per kg in 2024, 10% below the world average of $0.21 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have exports of slaked lime from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $5.5 million in 2017 to $2.0 million in 2024, a fall of 63%. The peak was 2019 at $6.6 million. Over 8 years the average was $3.1 million a year.
Does South Africa also import slaked lime?
Yes. South Africa imported $475 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Malaysia, Belgium and the United Kingdom. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $1.5 million a year.
What is the HS code for slaked lime?
The HS code for slaked lime is subheading 2522.20. 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 2522 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
EximDataX rebuilds South Africa trade from the customs records of its trading partners, so the companies shipping to and from it are visible. Ask for a live look at your product.
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