Styrene-butadiene rubber imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $44.5 million of styrene-butadiene rubber in 2024 (22.9 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. That is close to the 2023 level. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2022, at $70.4 million.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
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Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $44.5M | 22.9K t |
| 2023 | $44.3M | 28.9K t |
| 2022 | $70.4M | 31.4K t |
| 2021 | $60.2M | 33.0K t |
| 2020 | $31.4M | 23.8K t |
| 2019 | $53.7M | 31.8K t |
| 2018 | $51.5M | 26.2K t |
| 2017 | $27.8M | 13.4K t |
Where South Africa imports styrene-butadiene rubber from
The largest suppliers were Poland (23%), Italy (20%), South Korea (7%). Among the main suppliers, Latvia grew fastest (+141% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Poland | $10.3M | 23% |
| Italy | $8.8M | 20% |
| South Korea | $3.3M | 7.4% |
| Germany | $3.0M | 6.9% |
| Japan | $2.7M | 6.1% |
| Singapore | $2.5M | 5.7% |
| Thailand | $2.2M | 5% |
| Taiwan | $2.0M | 4.4% |
| Czech Republic | $1.9M | 4.3% |
| Latvia | $1.9M | 4.3% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.94 per kg, close to the world average of $2.16.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Styrene-butadiene rubber exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $202 thousand of styrene-butadiene rubber in 2024 (191 tonnes). Most of it went to Belgium (46%), Zimbabwe (24%), Australia (11%). Among the main buyer markets, Eswatini grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Belgium | $94K | 46% |
| Zimbabwe | $48K | 24% |
| Australia | $22K | 11% |
| Zambia | $20K | 9.7% |
| Eswatini | $7K | 3.6% |
| Mauritius | $7K | 3.6% |
| Namibia | $3K | 1.5% |
| DR Congo | $1K | 0.3% |
| Hungary | $0K | 0.2% |
| Mozambique | $0K | 0.2% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa styrene-butadiene rubber imports (HS 4002.19): 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 4002.19: Rubber: synthetic, styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) and carboxylated styrene-butadiene rubber (XSBR), (other than latex), in primary forms or in plates, sheets or strip.
Common questions
What is the value of styrene-butadiene rubber imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported styrene-butadiene rubber worth $44.5 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 22.9 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 28th of 182 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 0% on 2023.
Which countries supply styrene-butadiene rubber to South Africa?
Poland was the largest supplier with 23% of the value ($10.3 million), followed by Italy (20%) and South Korea (7%). The top three together account for 50%, out of 29 supplier countries in total. Latvia grew fastest among the top ten, up 141% on the year.
What is the average import price of styrene-butadiene rubber per kg?
The average declared import value was about $1.94 per kg in 2024, 10% below the world average of $2.16 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of styrene-butadiene rubber to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $27.8 million in 2017 to $44.5 million in 2024, an increase of 60%. The peak was 2022 at $70.4 million. Over 8 years the average was $48.0 million a year.
Does South Africa also export styrene-butadiene rubber?
Yes. South Africa exported $202 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Belgium, Zimbabwe and Australia. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $44.2 million a year.
What is the HS code for styrene-butadiene rubber?
The HS code for styrene-butadiene rubber is subheading 4002.19. It sits in HS chapter 40 (rubber and articles thereof). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 4002 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.
Same product, other countries
World styrene-butadiene rubber trade: top importers and exporters
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