Turpentine exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
In 2024, South Africa exported turpentine worth $8.5 million (8.0 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 3%. That is 45% less than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 34% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2023, at $15.3 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 | $8.5M | 8.0K t |
| 2023 | $15.3M | 19.9K t |
| 2022 | $6.9M | 14.0K t |
| 2021 | $4.1M | 7.2K t |
| 2020 | $1.5M | 1.2K t |
| 2019 | $1.3M | 801 t |
| 2018 | $1.6M | 925 t |
| 2017 | $1.1M | 807 t |
Where South Africa exports turpentine to
Zimbabwe alone took 70% of it.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zimbabwe | $5.9M | 70% |
| Zambia | $1.1M | 13% |
| Malawi | $363K | 4.3% |
| Botswana | $303K | 3.6% |
| Namibia | $287K | 3.4% |
| DR Congo | $151K | 1.8% |
| France | $125K | 1.5% |
| Mozambique | $87K | 1% |
| India | $59K | 0.7% |
| Eswatini | $53K | 0.6% |
Product types under HS 3805
| 3805.10 | Terpenic oils: gum, wood or sulphate turpentine oils | 84% |
| 3805.90 | Terpenic oils: produced by the treatment of coniferous woods, crude dipentene, sulphite turpentine and other crude para-cymene, n.e.c. in heading no.… | 16% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 3805.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.06 per kg, 46% below the world average of $1.96, 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.
Turpentine imports to South Africa
Imports of turpentine by South Africa reached $6.7 million in 2024 (1.3 thousand tonnes). It ranks 8th of 170 countries for imports of this product. China alone supplied 57% of it. Among the main suppliers, India grew fastest (+143% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $3.8M | 57% |
| India | $2.0M | 30% |
| United States | $846K | 13% |
| Portugal | $27K | 0.4% |
| Germany | $19K | 0.3% |
| Brazil | $14K | 0.2% |
| Pakistan | $1K | 0% |
| Spain | $1K | 0% |
| United Kingdom | $1K | 0% |
| France | $0K | 0% |
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 3805: Gum, wood or sulphate turpentine, other terpenic oils; crude dipentene; sulphite turpentine, other crude para-cymene; pine oil containing alpha-terpineol as the main constituent.
Common questions
What is the value of turpentine exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported turpentine worth $8.5 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 8.0 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 11th of 94 countries worldwide, with 3% of world exports. The value was down 45% on 2023.
Which countries buy turpentine from South Africa?
Zimbabwe was the largest buyer with 70% of the value ($5.9 million), followed by Zambia (13%) and Malawi (4%). The top three together account for 87%, out of 19 buyer countries in total. Mozambique grew fastest among the top ten, up 78% on the year.
What is the average export price of turpentine per kg?
The average declared export value was about $1.06 per kg in 2024, 46% below the world average of $1.96 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 turpentine from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $1.1 million in 2017 to $8.5 million in 2024, an increase of 685%. The peak was 2023 at $15.3 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import turpentine?
Yes. South Africa imported $6.7 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from China, India and the United States. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $1.8 million a year.
What is the HS code for turpentine?
The HS code for turpentine is heading 3805. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 3805.10 (84% of the value) and 3805.90 (16%). It sits in HS chapter 38 (chemical products n.e.c.). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 3805 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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