Talc imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of talc by South Africa reached $5.1 million in 2024 (15.4 thousand tonnes). That is 32% 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 | $5.1M | 15.4K t |
| 2023 | $3.9M | 12.5K t |
| 2022 | $5.3M | 16.7K t |
| 2021 | $4.9M | 16.0K t |
| 2020 | $3.3M | 9.7K t |
| 2019 | $4.0M | 12.5K t |
| 2018 | $4.1M | 12.1K t |
| 2017 | $4.8M | 12.3K t |
Where South Africa imports talc from
Most of the value came from India (32%), Pakistan (19%), France (19%). Among the main suppliers, Belgium grew fastest (+214% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| India | $1.6M | 32% |
| Pakistan | $991K | 19% |
| France | $991K | 19% |
| Italy | $416K | 8.1% |
| South Korea | $252K | 4.9% |
| China | $195K | 3.8% |
| Belgium | $169K | 3.3% |
| Finland | $138K | 2.7% |
| Spain | $115K | 2.3% |
| Egypt | $55K | 1.1% |
Product types under HS 2526
| 2526.20 | Steatite: natural, crushed, powdered, whether or not roughly trimmed or merely cut, by sawing or otherwise, into blocks or slabs of a rectangular… | 97% |
| 2526.10 | Steatite: natural, (not crushed or powdered), whether or not roughly trimmed or merely cut, by sawing or otherwise, into blocks or slabs of a… | 3.2% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 2526.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.33 per kg, close to the world average of $0.40.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Talc exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $375 thousand of talc in 2024 (438 tonnes). Zimbabwe alone took 51% of it. Among the main buyer markets, Malawi grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zimbabwe | $190K | 51% |
| Namibia | $49K | 13% |
| Zambia | $44K | 12% |
| China | $33K | 8.9% |
| Botswana | $28K | 7.5% |
| Malawi | $11K | 2.9% |
| Nigeria | $9K | 2.4% |
| Lesotho | $5K | 1.3% |
| United States | $2K | 0.6% |
| Kenya | $1K | 0.4% |
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
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 2526: Natural steatite; whether or not roughly trimmed or merely cut, by sawing or otherwise, into blocks or slabs of a rectangular (including square) shape; talc.
Common questions
What is the value of talc imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported talc worth $5.1 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 15.4 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 35th of 188 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 32% on 2023.
Which countries supply talc to South Africa?
India was the largest supplier with 32% of the value ($1.6 million), followed by Pakistan (19%) and France (19%). The top three together account for 71%, out of 21 supplier countries in total. Belgium grew fastest among the top ten, up 214% on the year.
What is the average import price of talc per kg?
The average declared import value was about $0.33 per kg in 2024, 18% below the world average of $0.40 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 talc to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $4.8 million in 2017 to $5.1 million in 2024, an increase of 6%. The peak was 2022 at $5.3 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export talc?
Yes. South Africa exported $375 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Zimbabwe, Namibia and Zambia. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $4.7 million a year.
What is the HS code for talc?
The HS code for talc is heading 2526. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 2526.20 (97% of the value) and 2526.10 (3%). 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 2526 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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