Sodium sulfate imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $12.3 million of sodium sulfate in 2024 (79.0 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 2%. Value fell 21% from 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 18% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2022, at $24.2 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 | $12.3M | 79.0K t |
| 2023 | $15.7M | 91.1K t |
| 2022 | $24.2M | 208.0K t |
| 2021 | $20.5M | 211.1K t |
| 2020 | $14.8M | 164.7K t |
| 2019 | $9.1M | 100.9K t |
| 2018 | $6.9M | 69.0K t |
| 2017 | $3.9M | 44.6K t |
Where South Africa imports sodium sulfate from
One supplier dominates: China accounted for 90% of the value.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $11.1M | 90% |
| Spain | $1.1M | 9.2% |
| Austria | $31K | 0.3% |
| India | $20K | 0.2% |
| Germany | $7K | 0.1% |
| United Kingdom | $3K | 0% |
| United States | $2K | 0% |
| Finland | $0K | 0% |
| Switzerland | $0K | 0% |
| Belgium | $0K | 0% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.16 per kg, 45% above the world average of $0.11. 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.
Sodium sulfate exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported sodium sulfate worth $423 thousand (2.0 thousand tonnes). Zambia alone took 86% of it. Among the main buyer markets, Zambia grew fastest (+178% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zambia | $363K | 86% |
| Namibia | $39K | 9.3% |
| Zimbabwe | $4K | 1% |
| Botswana | $4K | 1% |
| Lesotho | $4K | 0.9% |
| Malawi | $4K | 0.8% |
| Eswatini | $3K | 0.7% |
| Mauritius | $1K | 0.2% |
| Mozambique | $1K | 0.2% |
| Tanzania | $0K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa sodium sulfate imports (HS 2833.11): 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 2833.11: Sodium sulphates: disodium sulphate.
Common questions
What is the value of sodium sulfate imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported sodium sulfate worth $12.3 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 79.0 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 17th of 165 countries worldwide, with 2% of world imports. The value was down 21% on 2023.
Which countries supply sodium sulfate to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 90% of the value ($11.1 million), followed by Spain (9%) and Austria (0%). The top three together account for 100%, out of 10 supplier countries in total. Germany grew fastest among the top ten, up 251% on the year.
What is the average import price of sodium sulfate per kg?
The average declared import value was about $0.16 per kg in 2024, 45% above the world average of $0.11 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 sulfate to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $3.9 million in 2017 to $12.3 million in 2024, an increase of 217%. The peak was 2022 at $24.2 million. Over 8 years the average was $13.4 million a year.
Does South Africa also export sodium sulfate?
Yes. South Africa exported $423 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Zambia, Namibia and Zimbabwe. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $11.9 million a year.
What is the HS code for sodium sulfate?
The HS code for sodium sulfate is subheading 2833.11. 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 2833 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
The totals here are public statistics; EximDataX adds the company names by reading partner countries' customs records for South Africa. Tell us your product to see it live.
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