Tobacco leaf imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of tobacco leaf by South Africa reached $123.7 million in 2024 (26.9 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Value fell 19% from 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2020, at $183.1 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 | $123.7M | 26.9K t |
| 2023 | $153.6M | 36.1K t |
| 2022 | $84.3M | 20.5K t |
| 2021 | $95.4M | 24.9K t |
| 2020 | $183.1M | 21.8K t |
| 2019 | $83.5M | 25.7K t |
| 2018 | $137.0M | 38.9K t |
| 2017 | $130.8M | 35.1K t |
Where South Africa imports tobacco leaf from
The largest suppliers were Zambia (48%), Zimbabwe (25%), Malawi (10%).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zambia | $60.0M | 49% |
| Zimbabwe | $31.2M | 25% |
| Malawi | $12.1M | 9.8% |
| Tanzania | $10.9M | 8.8% |
| India | $3.4M | 2.7% |
| Philippines | $1.4M | 1.1% |
| Poland | $1.2M | 1% |
| Italy | $1.1M | 0.9% |
| Germany | $897K | 0.7% |
| Uganda | $482K | 0.4% |
Product types under HS 2401
| 2401.20 | Tobacco: partly or wholly stemmed or stripped | 94% |
| 2401.30 | Tobacco refuse | 5.1% |
| 2401.10 | Tobacco, (not stemmed or stripped) | 1.2% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 2401.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $4.59 per kg, 23% below the world average of $5.95, which often means bulk or lower-grade product.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Tobacco leaf exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported tobacco leaf worth $29.5 million (7.0 thousand tonnes). Most of it went to Zimbabwe (30%), Indonesia (23%), Sweden (13%). Among the main buyer markets, Zimbabwe grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zimbabwe | $8.8M | 30% |
| Indonesia | $6.9M | 24% |
| Sweden | $3.8M | 13% |
| South Korea | $2.1M | 7% |
| Germany | $1.5M | 5% |
| Cambodia | $1.2M | 4.2% |
| Poland | $721K | 2.4% |
| United Arab Emirates | $709K | 2.4% |
| Lesotho | $593K | 2% |
| Mozambique | $407K | 1.4% |
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 2401: Tobacco, unmanufactured; tobacco refuse.
Common questions
What is the value of tobacco leaf imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported tobacco leaf worth $123.7 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 26.9 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 26th of 172 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was down 19% on 2023.
Which countries supply tobacco leaf to South Africa?
Zambia was the largest supplier with 48% of the value ($60.0 million), followed by Zimbabwe (25%) and Malawi (10%). The top three together account for 84%, out of 24 supplier countries in total. Germany grew fastest among the top ten, up 30% on the year.
What is the average import price of tobacco leaf per kg?
The average declared import value was about $4.59 per kg in 2024, 23% below the world average of $5.95 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 tobacco leaf to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $130.8 million in 2017 to $123.7 million in 2024, a fall of 5%. The peak was 2020 at $183.1 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export tobacco leaf?
Yes. South Africa exported $29.5 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Zimbabwe, Indonesia and Sweden. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $94.1 million a year.
What is the HS code for tobacco leaf?
The HS code for tobacco leaf is heading 2401. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 2401.20 (94% of the value) and 2401.30 (5%). It sits in HS chapter 24 (tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes; products, whether or not containing nicotine, intended for inhalation without combustion; other nicotine containing products intended for the intake of nicotine into the human body). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 2401 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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