Sulphur imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported sulphur worth $62.3 million (605.9 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Value rose 4% on 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2022, at $161.0 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 | $62.3M | 605.9K t |
| 2023 | $59.7M | 545.5K t |
| 2022 | $161.0M | 454.7K t |
| 2021 | $105.7M | 527.7K t |
| 2020 | $33.0M | 533.2K t |
| 2019 | $62.0M | 586.5K t |
| 2018 | $122.7M | 1.11M t |
| 2017 | $65.6M | 622.3K t |
Where South Africa imports sulphur from
Most of the value came from Saudi Arabia (26%), Oman (22%), Kuwait (14%). Among the main suppliers, Oman grew fastest (+246% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia | $16.1M | 26% |
| Oman | $13.9M | 22% |
| Kuwait | $8.7M | 14% |
| United Arab Emirates | $6.5M | 10% |
| Russia | $5.7M | 9.1% |
| Qatar | $5.2M | 8.3% |
| Kazakhstan | $3.4M | 5.5% |
| India | $1.1M | 1.8% |
| Turkey | $629K | 1% |
| Spain | $270K | 0.4% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.10 per kg, close to the world average of $0.11.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Sulphur exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $44.3 million of sulphur in 2024 (175.7 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. Zambia alone took 69% of it. Among the main buyer markets, DR Congo grew fastest (+190% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zambia | $30.6M | 69% |
| DR Congo | $8.7M | 20% |
| Papua New Guinea | $3.1M | 6.9% |
| Indonesia | $1.2M | 2.8% |
| Zimbabwe | $438K | 1% |
| Eswatini | $69K | 0.2% |
| United States | $57K | 0.1% |
| Namibia | $46K | 0.1% |
| Nigeria | $42K | 0.1% |
| Malawi | $35K | 0.1% |
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 2503: Sulphur of all kinds; other than sublimed, precipitated and colloidal sulphur.
Common questions
What is the value of sulphur imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported sulphur worth $62.3 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 605.9 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 16th of 163 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 4% on 2023.
Which countries supply sulphur to South Africa?
Saudi Arabia was the largest supplier with 26% of the value ($16.1 million), followed by Oman (22%) and Kuwait (14%). The top three together account for 62%, out of 23 supplier countries in total. Oman grew fastest among the top ten, up 246% on the year.
What is the average import price of sulphur per kg?
The average declared import value was about $0.10 per kg in 2024, 9% below the world average of $0.11 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 imports of sulphur to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $65.6 million in 2017 to $62.3 million in 2024, a fall of 5%. The peak was 2022 at $161.0 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export sulphur?
Yes. South Africa exported $44.3 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Zambia, the DR Congo and Papua New Guinea. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $18.0 million a year.
What is the HS code for sulphur?
The HS code for sulphur is heading 2503. In South Africa all of this trade was declared under the six-digit code 2503.00. It sits in HS chapter 25 (salt; sulphur; earths, stone; plastering materials, lime and cement). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 2503 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
See what your buyers are buying.Then decide.
Everything we show you comes from official customs filings — records, not claims. 30 minutes. Your shipment. Your HS code. Real platform. If you don’t see something new about your market by the end of the call, we walk away. No follow-ups.