Synthetic dye imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported synthetic dye worth $80.3 million (12.5 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Value rose 7% on 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 | $80.3M | 12.5K t |
| 2023 | $74.8M | 11.8K t |
| 2022 | $83.6M | 11.3K t |
| 2021 | $86.6M | 14.0K t |
| 2020 | $67.4M | 9.9K t |
| 2019 | $76.4M | 10.9K t |
| 2018 | $79.0M | 12.1K t |
| 2017 | $72.2M | 10.9K t |
Where South Africa imports synthetic dye from
Most of the value came from India (37%), China (30%), Germany (4%).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| India | $30.0M | 37% |
| China | $24.1M | 30% |
| Germany | $3.4M | 4.2% |
| Italy | $3.0M | 3.8% |
| United States | $2.8M | 3.6% |
| United Kingdom | $2.0M | 2.5% |
| Spain | $1.6M | 2% |
| France | $1.6M | 2% |
| Sweden | $1.6M | 2% |
| Netherlands | $1.4M | 1.7% |
Product types under HS 3204
| 3204.17 | Dyes: pigments and preparations based thereon | 39% |
| 3204.19 | Dyes: n.e.c., including mixtures of colouring matter of two or more of those from item no. 3204.11 to 3204.19 | 20% |
| 3204.20 | Dyes: synthetic organic products of a kind used as fluorescent brightening agents | 18% |
| 3204.12 | Dyes: acid, whether or not premetallised and preparations based thereon, mordant dyes and preparations based thereon | 9.8% |
| 3204.16 | Dyes: reactive dyes and preparations based thereon | 4% |
| 3204.15 | Dyes: vat dyes (including those usable in that state as pigments) and preparations based thereon | 3% |
| 3204.90 | Dyes: synthetic organic products n.e.c. in heading no. 3204 (e.g. of a kind used as luminophores), whether or not chemically defined | 2% |
| 3204.14 | Dyes: direct dyes and preparations based thereon | 1.9% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 3204.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $6.40 per kg, close to the world average of $7.25.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Synthetic dye exports from South Africa
Exports of synthetic dye by South Africa reached $13.6 million in 2024 (2.1 thousand tonnes). Most of it went to Eswatini (15%), Zambia (12%), Namibia (8%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 35%. Among the main buyer markets, United States grew fastest (+216% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Eswatini | $2.0M | 15% |
| Zambia | $1.6M | 12% |
| Namibia | $1.1M | 8.2% |
| Nigeria | $924K | 6.8% |
| Mozambique | $813K | 6% |
| Zimbabwe | $792K | 5.8% |
| Kenya | $735K | 5.4% |
| Uganda | $675K | 5% |
| United States | $666K | 4.9% |
| Botswana | $616K | 4.5% |
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 3204: Synthetic organic colouring matter and preparations based thereon; synthetic organic products used as fluorescent brightening agents or as luminophores; whether or not chemically defined.
Common questions
What is the value of synthetic dye imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported synthetic dye worth $80.3 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 12.5 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 31st of 219 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 7% on 2023.
Which countries supply synthetic dye to South Africa?
India was the largest supplier with 37% of the value ($30.0 million), followed by China (30%) and Germany (4%). The top three together account for 72%, out of 53 supplier countries in total. China grew fastest among the top ten, up 27% on the year.
What is the average import price of synthetic dye per kg?
The average declared import value was about $6.40 per kg in 2024, 12% below the world average of $7.25 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 synthetic dye to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $72.2 million in 2017 to $80.3 million in 2024, an increase of 11%. The peak was 2021 at $86.6 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export synthetic dye?
Yes. South Africa exported $13.6 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Eswatini, Zambia and Namibia. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $66.7 million a year.
What is the HS code for synthetic dye?
The HS code for synthetic dye is heading 3204. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 3204.17 (39% of the value) and 3204.19 (20%). It sits in HS chapter 32 (tanning or dyeing extracts; tannins and their derivatives; dyes, pigments and other colouring matter; paints, varnishes; putty, other mastics; inks). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 3204 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
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