Vitamin medicines (packaged) imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $25.0 million of vitamin medicines (packaged) in 2024 (654 tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Value rose 41% on 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 | $25.0M | 654 t |
| 2023 | $17.7M | 780 t |
| 2022 | $13.0M | 736 t |
| 2021 | $20.0M | 804 t |
| 2020 | $15.8M | 688 t |
| 2019 | $18.4M | 882 t |
| 2018 | $20.3M | 782 t |
| 2017 | $15.5M | 480 t |
Where South Africa imports vitamin medicines (packaged) from
Most of the value came from Austria (16%), Germany (14%), Canada (14%). Trade is spread widely: the top three suppliers together make up only 44%. Among the main suppliers, Canada grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Austria | $4.0M | 16% |
| Germany | $3.6M | 14% |
| Canada | $3.5M | 14% |
| India | $3.1M | 13% |
| Uruguay | $2.8M | 11% |
| Belgium | $2.7M | 11% |
| Netherlands | $1.9M | 7.7% |
| Spain | $977K | 3.9% |
| Cyprus | $558K | 2.2% |
| France | $509K | 2% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $38.21 per kg, 88% above the world average of $20.30. 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.
Vitamin medicines (packaged) exports from South Africa
Exports of vitamin medicines (packaged) by South Africa reached $2.9 million in 2024 (276 tonnes). Most of it went to Namibia (38%), Botswana (16%), Saudi Arabia (15%). Among the main buyer markets, Kenya grew fastest (+343% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | $1.1M | 38% |
| Botswana | $457K | 16% |
| Saudi Arabia | $440K | 15% |
| Zimbabwe | $259K | 8.9% |
| Kenya | $200K | 6.9% |
| Eswatini | $140K | 4.8% |
| Lesotho | $75K | 2.6% |
| Zambia | $67K | 2.3% |
| Malawi | $41K | 1.4% |
| Rwanda | $34K | 1.2% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa vitamin medicines (packaged) imports (HS 3004.50): 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 3004.50: Medicaments: containing vitamins or their derivatives, for therapeutic or prophylactic use, packaged for retail sale.
Common questions
What is the value of vitamin medicines (packaged) imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported vitamin medicines (packaged) worth $25.0 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 654 tonnes. That ranks it 46th of 212 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 41% on 2023.
Which countries supply vitamin medicines (packaged) to South Africa?
Austria was the largest supplier with 16% of the value ($4.0 million), followed by Germany (14%) and Canada (14%). The top three together account for 44%, out of 38 supplier countries in total. The Netherlands grew fastest among the top ten, up 148% on the year.
What is the average import price of vitamin medicines (packaged) per kg?
The average declared import value was about $38.21 per kg in 2024, 88% above the world average of $20.30 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of vitamin medicines (packaged) to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $15.5 million in 2017 to $25.0 million in 2024, an increase of 61%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Over 8 years the average was $18.2 million a year.
Does South Africa also export vitamin medicines (packaged)?
Yes. South Africa exported $2.9 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Namibia, Botswana and Saudi Arabia. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $22.1 million a year.
What is the HS code for vitamin medicines (packaged)?
The HS code for vitamin medicines (packaged) is subheading 3004.50. It sits in HS chapter 30 (pharmaceutical products). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 3004 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
For South Africa, EximDataX reads the shipment records of the countries that trade with it and shows the companies on both sides. We can walk you through your product on a short call.
Same product, other countries
World vitamin medicines (packaged) trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for South Africa
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