Tobacco products exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
South Africa exported $42.2 million of tobacco products in 2024 (6.4 thousand tonnes). Value fell 24% from 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 10% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2017, at $89.2 million.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Exports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $42.2M | 6.4K t |
| 2023 | $55.9M | 9.3K t |
| 2022 | $42.4M | 6.3K t |
| 2021 | $43.5M | 5.4K t |
| 2020 | $48.8M | 6.3K t |
| 2019 | $59.9M | 8.4K t |
| 2018 | $67.5M | 10.7K t |
| 2017 | $89.2M | 14.5K t |
Where South Africa exports tobacco products to
The largest buyer markets were Indonesia (25%), Republic of the Congo (19%), Namibia (16%). Among the main buyer markets, Tanzania grew fastest (+61% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Indonesia | $10.6M | 25% |
| Republic of the Congo | $8.2M | 20% |
| Namibia | $6.9M | 16% |
| Lesotho | $6.2M | 15% |
| Tanzania | $2.4M | 5.6% |
| China | $2.1M | 5% |
| Zambia | $1.4M | 3.3% |
| Botswana | $1.1M | 2.6% |
| Mozambique | $865K | 2.1% |
| Malawi | $417K | 1% |
Product types under HS 2403
| 2403.19 | Tobacco: smoking, other than water pipe tobacco, whether or not containing tobacco substitutes in any proportion | 74% |
| 2403.99 | Tobacco: other than homogenised or reconstituted or smoking | 21% |
| 2403.11 | Tobacco: smoking, water pipe tobacco as specified in Subheading Note 1 to this Chapter, whether or not containing tobacco substitutes in any… | 5.2% |
| 2403.91 | Tobacco: homogenised or reconstituted | 0.4% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 2403.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $6.59 per kg, 63% below the world average of $17.71, 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 products imports to South Africa
Imports of tobacco products by South Africa reached $12.6 million in 2024 (1.0 thousand tonnes). Most of the value came from China (26%), Romania (20%), Egypt (9%). Among the main suppliers, Romania grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $3.3M | 26% |
| Romania | $2.6M | 20% |
| Egypt | $1.1M | 9.1% |
| India | $1.1M | 9% |
| Italy | $907K | 7.2% |
| Sweden | $780K | 6.2% |
| Zimbabwe | $585K | 4.6% |
| Netherlands | $540K | 4.3% |
| Germany | $406K | 3.2% |
| Denmark | $399K | 3.2% |
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 2403: Manufactured tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes n.e.c; homogenised or reconstituted tobacco; tobacco extracts and essences.
Common questions
What is the value of tobacco products exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported tobacco products worth $42.2 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 6.4 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 38th of 145 countries worldwide, with 0% of world exports. The value was down 24% on 2023.
Which countries buy tobacco products from South Africa?
Indonesia was the largest buyer with 25% of the value ($10.6 million), followed by the Republic of the Congo (19%) and Namibia (16%). The top three together account for 61%, out of 36 buyer countries in total. Tanzania grew fastest among the top ten, up 61% on the year.
What is the average export price of tobacco products per kg?
The average declared export value was about $6.59 per kg in 2024, 63% below the world average of $17.71 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 exports of tobacco products from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $89.2 million in 2017 to $42.2 million in 2024, a fall of 53%. The peak was 2017 at $89.2 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import tobacco products?
Yes. South Africa imported $12.6 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from China, Romania and Egypt. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $29.6 million a year.
What is the HS code for tobacco products?
The HS code for tobacco products is heading 2403. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 2403.19 (74% of the value) and 2403.99 (21%). 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 2403 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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