Sulfate exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
South Africa exported $312.4 million of sulfate in 2024 (63.5 thousand tonnes). That makes it the 4th largest exporter of this product worldwide, out of 140 countries. Value rose 8% on 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2021, at $649.8 million.
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 | $312.4M | 63.5K t |
| 2023 | $290.2M | 49.7K t |
| 2022 | $567.4M | 46.1K t |
| 2021 | $649.8M | 58.0K t |
| 2020 | $30.8M | 22.0K t |
| 2019 | $316.1M | 37.1K t |
| 2018 | $295.7M | 48.8K t |
| 2017 | $207.6M | 36.4K t |
Where South Africa exports sulfate to
One buyer market dominates: Belgium accounted for 56% of the value. Among the main buyer markets, Netherlands grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Belgium | $175.5M | 56% |
| Indonesia | $47.1M | 15% |
| Netherlands | $16.4M | 5.3% |
| China | $14.2M | 4.6% |
| South Korea | $10.5M | 3.4% |
| Brazil | $9.9M | 3.2% |
| Taiwan | $6.2M | 2% |
| Switzerland | $4.2M | 1.4% |
| United Kingdom | $4.0M | 1.3% |
| DR Congo | $3.5M | 1.1% |
Product types under HS 2833
| 2833.25 | Sulphates: of copper | 62% |
| 2833.24 | Sulphates: of nickel | 30% |
| 2833.29 | Sulphates: n.e.c. in item no. 2833.2 | 7.5% |
| 2833.22 | Sulphates: of aluminium | 0.5% |
| 2833.19 | Sodium sulphates: other than disodium sulphate | 0.3% |
| 2833.21 | Sulphates: of magnesium | 0.2% |
| 2833.11 | Sodium sulphates: disodium sulphate | 0.1% |
| 2833.40 | Peroxosulphates (persulphates) | 0% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 2833.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $4.92 per kg, 970% above the world average of $0.46. 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.
Sulfate imports to South Africa
Imports of sulfate by South Africa reached $46.1 million in 2024 (146.5 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. China alone supplied 56% of it. Among the main suppliers, Finland grew fastest (+367% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $25.7M | 56% |
| Brazil | $5.0M | 11% |
| India | $3.3M | 7.3% |
| Turkey | $2.8M | 6.1% |
| Germany | $1.5M | 3.3% |
| Finland | $1.5M | 3.3% |
| Chile | $1.4M | 3.1% |
| Spain | $1.2M | 2.5% |
| United States | $1.0M | 2.2% |
| Mexico | $629K | 1.4% |
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
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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 2833: Sulphates; alums; peroxosulphates (persulphates).
Common questions
What is the value of sulfate exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported sulfate worth $312.4 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 63.5 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 4th of 140 countries worldwide, with 6% of world exports. The value was up 8% on 2023.
Which countries buy sulfate from South Africa?
Belgium was the largest buyer with 56% of the value ($175.5 million), followed by Indonesia (15%) and the Netherlands (5%). The top three together account for 76%, out of 68 buyer countries in total. Brazil grew fastest among the top ten, up 199% on the year.
What is the average export price of sulfate per kg?
The average declared export value was about $4.92 per kg in 2024, 970% above the world average of $0.46 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 sulfate from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $207.6 million in 2017 to $312.4 million in 2024, an increase of 51%. The peak was 2021 at $649.8 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import sulfate?
Yes. South Africa imported $46.1 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from China, Brazil and India. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $266.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for sulfate?
The HS code for sulfate is heading 2833. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 2833.25 (61% of the value) and 2833.24 (30%). 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?
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.
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