Tartaric acid imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of tartaric acid by South Africa reached $5.1 million in 2024 (1.3 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 2%. That is 66% 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 | 1.3K t |
| 2023 | $3.1M | 956 t |
| 2022 | $3.8M | 1.1K t |
| 2021 | $3.2M | 1.1K t |
| 2020 | $3.6M | 1.5K t |
| 2019 | $2.6M | 934 t |
| 2018 | $5.1M | 1.4K t |
| 2017 | $3.7M | 1.5K t |
Where South Africa imports tartaric acid from
Italy alone supplied 59% of it. Among the main suppliers, Spain grew fastest (+124% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Italy | $3.0M | 59% |
| Spain | $1.3M | 26% |
| China | $716K | 14% |
| India | $16K | 0.3% |
| Germany | $8K | 0.2% |
| France | $2K | 0% |
| Lithuania | $0K | 0% |
| Switzerland | $0K | 0% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $3.89 per kg, 22% above the world average of $3.19. 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.
Tartaric acid exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported tartaric acid worth $258 thousand (41 tonnes). One buyer market dominates: Botswana accounted for 54% of the value. Among the main buyer markets, Malawi grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Botswana | $140K | 54% |
| Lesotho | $41K | 16% |
| Namibia | $18K | 6.8% |
| Kenya | $14K | 5.4% |
| Malawi | $11K | 4.2% |
| Uganda | $10K | 4% |
| Zimbabwe | $8K | 3.2% |
| Mauritius | $6K | 2.3% |
| Eswatini | $4K | 1.4% |
| Zambia | $3K | 1% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa tartaric acid imports (HS 2918.12): 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 2918.12: Acids: carboxylic acids, (with alcohol function but without other oxygen function), tartaric acid.
Common questions
What is the value of tartaric acid imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported tartaric acid worth $5.1 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 1.3 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 17th of 161 countries worldwide, with 2% of world imports. The value was up 66% on 2023.
Which countries supply tartaric acid to South Africa?
Italy was the largest supplier with 59% of the value ($3.0 million), followed by Spain (26%) and China (14%). The top three together account for 100%, out of 8 supplier countries in total. Germany grew fastest among the top ten, up 427% on the year.
What is the average import price of tartaric acid per kg?
The average declared import value was about $3.89 per kg in 2024, 22% above the world average of $3.19 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of tartaric acid to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $3.7 million in 2017 to $5.1 million in 2024, an increase of 38%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Over 8 years the average was $3.8 million a year.
Does South Africa also export tartaric acid?
Yes. South Africa exported $258 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Botswana, Lesotho and Namibia. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $4.8 million a year.
What is the HS code for tartaric acid?
The HS code for tartaric acid is subheading 2918.12. It sits in HS chapter 29 (organic chemicals). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 2918 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.
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