Soap exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
Exports of soap by South Africa reached $168.0 million in 2024 (99.2 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. That is 17% less than in 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 | $168.0M | 99.2K t |
| 2023 | $201.9M | 92.8K t |
| 2022 | $169.3M | 82.4K t |
| 2021 | $146.1M | 81.8K t |
| 2020 | $153.8M | 123.4K t |
| 2019 | $151.9M | 126.8K t |
| 2018 | $164.6M | 118.2K t |
| 2017 | $159.1M | 140.6K t |
Where South Africa exports soap to
Most of it went to Botswana (18%), Namibia (16%), Zambia (14%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 48%.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Botswana | $29.5M | 18% |
| Namibia | $27.3M | 16% |
| Zambia | $23.1M | 14% |
| Zimbabwe | $15.5M | 9.2% |
| Eswatini | $12.2M | 7.3% |
| Mozambique | $12.2M | 7.3% |
| Lesotho | $11.4M | 6.8% |
| DR Congo | $10.8M | 6.4% |
| Malawi | $8.9M | 5.3% |
| United Arab Emirates | $3.3M | 1.9% |
Product types under HS 3401
| 3401.11 | Soap and organic surface-active products: in the form of bars, cakes, moulded shapes, and paper, wadding, felt and nonwovens, impregnated, coated or… | 36% |
| 3401.19 | Soap and organic surface-active products: in the form of bars, cakes, moulded shapes, and paper, wadding, felt and nonwovens, impregnated, coated or… | 31% |
| 3401.20 | Soap: in forms n.e.c. in item no. 3401.11 | 17% |
| 3401.30 | Organic surface-active products and preparations for washing the skin, in the form of liquid or cream and put up for retail sale, whether or not… | 16% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 3401.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.69 per kg, 27% below the world average of $2.31, which often means bulk or lower-grade product.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Soap imports to South Africa
Imports of soap by South Africa reached $85.2 million in 2024 (40.8 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. The largest suppliers were Germany (29%), China (17%), France (7%). Among the main suppliers, Greece grew fastest (+144% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | $24.9M | 29% |
| China | $14.1M | 17% |
| France | $6.2M | 7.3% |
| Italy | $5.6M | 6.6% |
| Poland | $5.4M | 6.4% |
| Spain | $5.2M | 6.1% |
| United Kingdom | $4.4M | 5.2% |
| Greece | $3.3M | 3.9% |
| Indonesia | $2.5M | 3% |
| United States | $1.8M | 2.2% |
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 3401: Soap; organic surface-active preparations used as soap, skin washing, in bars, cakes, moulded pieces, shapes, liquid or cream, containing soap or not; for retail, paper, wadding, felt and nonwovens, impregnated, coated or covered with soap or detergent.
Common questions
What is the value of soap exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported soap worth $168.0 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 99.2 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 21st of 207 countries worldwide, with 1% of world exports. The value was down 17% on 2023.
Which countries buy soap from South Africa?
Botswana was the largest buyer with 18% of the value ($29.5 million), followed by Namibia (16%) and Zambia (14%). The top three together account for 48%, out of 116 buyer countries in total. The DR Congo grew fastest among the top ten, up 26% on the year.
What is the average export price of soap per kg?
The average declared export value was about $1.69 per kg in 2024, 27% below the world average of $2.31 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 soap from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $159.1 million in 2017 to $168.0 million in 2024, an increase of 6%. The peak was 2023 at $201.9 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import soap?
Yes. South Africa imported $85.2 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Germany, China and France. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $82.8 million a year.
What is the HS code for soap?
The HS code for soap is heading 3401. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 3401.11 (36% of the value) and 3401.19 (31%). It sits in HS chapter 34 (soap, organic surface-active agents; washing, lubricating, polishing or scouring preparations; artificial or prepared waxes, candles and similar articles, modelling pastes, dental waxes and dental preparations with a basis of plaster). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 3401 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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