Sodium hydroxide solution imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported sodium hydroxide solution worth $64.9 million (285.1 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Value fell 26% from 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 8% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2022, at $117.2 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 | $64.9M | 285.1K t |
| 2023 | $87.6M | 403.1K t |
| 2022 | $117.2M | 347.4K t |
| 2021 | $68.3M | 267.5K t |
| 2020 | $29.6M | 256.1K t |
| 2019 | $56.9M | 375.3K t |
| 2018 | $109.4M | 398.5K t |
| 2017 | $116.4M | 351.4K t |
Where South Africa imports sodium hydroxide solution from
Most of the value came from India (32%), Qatar (27%), United States (17%). Among the main suppliers, Saudi Arabia grew fastest (+409% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| India | $20.6M | 32% |
| Qatar | $17.8M | 28% |
| United States | $10.9M | 17% |
| Saudi Arabia | $6.2M | 9.6% |
| Belgium | $3.1M | 4.7% |
| Singapore | $2.9M | 4.4% |
| South Korea | $2.0M | 3.1% |
| China | $1.2M | 1.9% |
| Germany | $127K | 0.2% |
| France | $37K | 0.1% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.23 per kg, 21% below the world average of $0.29, 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.
Sodium hydroxide solution exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported sodium hydroxide solution worth $1.8 million (3.1 thousand tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Botswana (33%), Zimbabwe (21%), Eswatini (17%). Among the main buyer markets, Zambia grew fastest (+277% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Botswana | $581K | 33% |
| Zimbabwe | $382K | 21% |
| Eswatini | $294K | 17% |
| Zambia | $189K | 11% |
| DR Congo | $101K | 5.7% |
| Mozambique | $71K | 4% |
| Malawi | $67K | 3.8% |
| Namibia | $47K | 2.6% |
| Senegal | $21K | 1.2% |
| Lesotho | $13K | 0.8% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa sodium hydroxide solution imports (HS 2815.12): 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 2815.12: Sodium hydroxide (caustic soda): in aqueous solution (soda lye or liquid soda).
Common questions
What is the value of sodium hydroxide solution imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported sodium hydroxide solution worth $64.9 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 285.1 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 20th of 210 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was down 26% on 2023.
Which countries supply sodium hydroxide solution to South Africa?
India was the largest supplier with 32% of the value ($20.6 million), followed by Qatar (27%) and the United States (17%). The top three together account for 76%, out of 19 supplier countries in total. Saudi Arabia grew fastest among the top ten, up 409% on the year.
What is the average import price of sodium hydroxide solution per kg?
The average declared import value was about $0.23 per kg in 2024, 21% below the world average of $0.29 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of sodium hydroxide solution to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $116.4 million in 2017 to $64.9 million in 2024, a fall of 44%. The peak was 2022 at $117.2 million. Over 8 years the average was $81.3 million a year.
Does South Africa also export sodium hydroxide solution?
Yes. South Africa exported $1.8 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Botswana, Zimbabwe and Eswatini. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $63.2 million a year.
What is the HS code for sodium hydroxide solution?
The HS code for sodium hydroxide solution is subheading 2815.12. It sits in HS chapter 28 (inorganic chemicals; organic and inorganic compounds of precious metals; of rare earth metals, of radio-active elements and of isotopes). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 2815 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 sodium hydroxide solution trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for South Africa
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