Unsaturated carboxylic acid exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
In 2024, South Africa exported unsaturated carboxylic acid worth $78.2 million (49.3 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. That is 8% less than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2021, at $149.6 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 | $78.2M | 49.3K t |
| 2023 | $84.6M | 55.4K t |
| 2022 | $92.2M | 43.3K t |
| 2021 | $149.6M | 72.4K t |
| 2020 | $88.1M | 85.2K t |
| 2019 | $106.5M | 86.7K t |
| 2018 | $103.3M | 72.3K t |
| 2017 | $81.3M | 65.0K t |
Where South Africa exports unsaturated carboxylic acid to
The largest buyer markets were United States (34%), Belgium (29%), Singapore (5%). Among the main buyer markets, South Korea grew fastest (+292% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $26.6M | 34% |
| Belgium | $22.8M | 29% |
| Singapore | $3.9M | 5% |
| Turkey | $3.7M | 4.8% |
| United Arab Emirates | $3.2M | 4.1% |
| Japan | $2.7M | 3.4% |
| South Korea | $2.6M | 3.3% |
| United Kingdom | $2.1M | 2.7% |
| India | $1.5M | 2% |
| Tunisia | $1.3M | 1.7% |
Product types under HS 2916
| 2916.12 | Acids: unsaturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids: esters of acrylic acid | 97% |
| 2916.19 | Acids: unsaturated acyclic monocarboxylic, cyclic monocarboxylic, their anhydrides, halides, peroxides and peroxyacids: their halogenated… | 1.6% |
| 2916.15 | Acids: unsaturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids: oleic, linoleic or linolenic acids, their salts and esters | 0.5% |
| 2916.11 | Acids: unsaturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids: acrylic acid and its salts | 0.4% |
| 2916.31 | Acids: aromatic monocarboxylic acids, benzoic acid, its salts and esters | 0.4% |
| 2916.14 | Acids: unsaturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids: esters of methacrylic acid | 0.2% |
| 2916.39 | Acids: aromatic monocarboxylic acids, and their anhydrides, halides, peroxides, peroxyacids and their derivatives, other than benzoic acid, its salts… | 0.1% |
| 2916.32 | Acids: aromatic monocarboxylic acids, benzoyl peroxide and benzoyl chloride | 0% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 2916.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.58 per kg, 29% below the world average of $2.22, 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.
Unsaturated carboxylic acid imports to South Africa
In 2024, South Africa imported unsaturated carboxylic acid worth $64.9 million (28.9 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Most of the value came from China (43%), Saudi Arabia (34%), India (6%). Among the main suppliers, South Korea grew fastest (+203% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $27.9M | 43% |
| Saudi Arabia | $21.8M | 34% |
| India | $3.7M | 5.7% |
| South Korea | $1.8M | 2.8% |
| Taiwan | $1.7M | 2.7% |
| United States | $1.3M | 2% |
| Germany | $1.2M | 1.8% |
| Japan | $751K | 1.2% |
| Netherlands | $710K | 1.1% |
| Italy | $635K | 1% |
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 2916: Acids; unsaturated acyclic monocarboxylic, cyclic monocarboxylic, their anhydrides, halides, peroxides and peroxyacids; their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives.
Common questions
What is the value of unsaturated carboxylic acid exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported unsaturated carboxylic acid worth $78.2 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 49.3 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 20th of 129 countries worldwide, with 1% of world exports. The value was down 8% on 2023.
Which countries buy unsaturated carboxylic acid from South Africa?
The United States was the largest buyer with 34% of the value ($26.6 million), followed by Belgium (29%) and Singapore (5%). The top three together account for 68%, out of 49 buyer countries in total. South Korea grew fastest among the top ten, up 292% on the year.
What is the average export price of unsaturated carboxylic acid per kg?
The average declared export value was about $1.58 per kg in 2024, 29% below the world average of $2.22 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 unsaturated carboxylic acid from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $81.3 million in 2017 to $78.2 million in 2024, a fall of 4%. The peak was 2021 at $149.6 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import unsaturated carboxylic acid?
Yes. South Africa imported $64.9 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from China, Saudi Arabia and India. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $13.2 million a year.
What is the HS code for unsaturated carboxylic acid?
The HS code for unsaturated carboxylic acid is heading 2916. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 2916.12 (97% of the value) and 2916.19 (2%). It sits in HS chapter 29 (organic chemicals). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 2916 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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