Surgical sutures and tissue adhesives imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $18.4 million of surgical sutures and tissue adhesives in 2024 (80 tonnes). That is 6% more than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable.
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 | $18.4M | 80 t |
| 2023 | $17.5M | 117 t |
| 2022 | $19.0M | 79 t |
| 2021 | $14.2M | 70 t |
| 2020 | $13.7M | 123 t |
| 2019 | $16.7M | 147 t |
| 2018 | $18.7M | 100 t |
| 2017 | $17.6M | 71 t |
Where South Africa imports surgical sutures and tissue adhesives from
Most of the value came from United States (37%), Germany (11%), Mexico (10%). Among the main suppliers, Israel grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $6.9M | 37% |
| Germany | $2.1M | 11% |
| Mexico | $1.9M | 10% |
| Denmark | $1.1M | 6% |
| Austria | $1.0M | 5.6% |
| Belgium | $905K | 4.9% |
| China | $733K | 4% |
| Spain | $651K | 3.5% |
| Switzerland | $510K | 2.8% |
| Israel | $410K | 2.2% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $230.55 per kg, close to the world average of $285.74.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Surgical sutures and tissue adhesives exports from South Africa
Exports of surgical sutures and tissue adhesives by South Africa reached $1.5 million in 2024 (43 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Kenya (28%), Ghana (11%), Indonesia (10%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 49%. Among the main buyer markets, Mauritius grew fastest (+71% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Kenya | $404K | 28% |
| Ghana | $161K | 11% |
| Indonesia | $151K | 10% |
| Uganda | $103K | 7.1% |
| Namibia | $101K | 6.9% |
| Botswana | $90K | 6.2% |
| New Zealand | $59K | 4% |
| Zimbabwe | $51K | 3.5% |
| Mauritius | $49K | 3.4% |
| Egypt | $31K | 2.1% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa surgical sutures and tissue adhesives imports (HS 3006.10): 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 3006.10: Pharmaceutical goods: sterile surgical catgut, suture materials, tissue adhesives, laminaria, laminaria tents, absorbable surgical or dental haemostatics, and surgical or dental adhesion barriers.
Common questions
What is the value of surgical sutures and tissue adhesives imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported surgical sutures and tissue adhesives worth $18.4 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 80 tonnes. That ranks it 37th of 212 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 6% on 2023.
Which countries supply surgical sutures and tissue adhesives to South Africa?
The United States was the largest supplier with 37% of the value ($6.9 million), followed by Germany (11%) and Mexico (10%). The top three together account for 59%, out of 42 supplier countries in total. Belgium grew fastest among the top ten, up 61% on the year.
What is the average import price of surgical sutures and tissue adhesives per kg?
The average declared import value was about $230.55 per kg in 2024, 19% below the world average of $285.74 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of surgical sutures and tissue adhesives to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $17.6 million in 2017 to $18.4 million in 2024, an increase of 5%. The peak was 2022 at $19.0 million. Over 8 years the average was $17.0 million a year.
Does South Africa also export surgical sutures and tissue adhesives?
Yes. South Africa exported $1.5 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Kenya, Ghana and Indonesia. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $17.0 million a year.
What is the HS code for surgical sutures and tissue adhesives?
The HS code for surgical sutures and tissue adhesives is subheading 3006.10. It sits in HS chapter 30 (pharmaceutical products). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 3006 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.
Same product, other countries
World surgical sutures and tissue adhesives trade: top importers and exporters
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