Welding flux exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
Exports of welding flux by South Africa reached $4.9 million in 2024 (778 tonnes). That is 20% more than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable.
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 | $4.9M | 778 t |
| 2023 | $4.1M | 583 t |
| 2022 | $4.5M | 669 t |
| 2021 | $3.8M | 742 t |
| 2020 | $4.6M | 861 t |
| 2019 | $3.4M | 599 t |
| 2018 | $3.6M | 644 t |
| 2017 | $5.5M | 987 t |
Where South Africa exports welding flux to
Most of it went to United Kingdom (43%), Zimbabwe (12%), Botswana (7%). Among the main buyer markets, Saudi Arabia grew fastest (+398% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | $2.1M | 43% |
| Zimbabwe | $617K | 13% |
| Botswana | $333K | 6.8% |
| Saudi Arabia | $277K | 5.6% |
| Mozambique | $206K | 4.2% |
| Namibia | $174K | 3.5% |
| United Arab Emirates | $157K | 3.2% |
| Eswatini | $155K | 3.2% |
| Malaysia | $100K | 2% |
| Tanzania | $88K | 1.8% |
Product types under HS 3810
| 3810.10 | Pickling preparations for metal surfaces: soldering, brazing or welding powders and pastes consisting of metal and other materials | 70% |
| 3810.90 | Fluxes and other auxiliary preparations: for soldering, brazing or welding, or preparations used as cores or coatings for welding electrodes or rods | 30% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 3810.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $6.34 per kg, 24% above the world average of $5.11. 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.
Welding flux imports to South Africa
Imports of welding flux by South Africa reached $4.3 million in 2024 (1.3 thousand tonnes). Most of the value came from Germany (17%), United States (14%), Poland (12%). Trade is spread widely: the top three suppliers together make up only 44%. Among the main suppliers, Poland grew fastest (+461% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | $730K | 17% |
| United States | $604K | 14% |
| Poland | $532K | 13% |
| France | $459K | 11% |
| China | $439K | 10% |
| India | $257K | 6% |
| United Kingdom | $256K | 6% |
| Japan | $246K | 5.8% |
| Italy | $126K | 3% |
| Netherlands | $125K | 2.9% |
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 3810: Metal-pickling preparations; fluxes etc for soldering, brazing; welding powders, pastes of metal and other materials; preparations used as cores or coatings for welding electrodes or rods.
Common questions
What is the value of welding flux exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported welding flux worth $4.9 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 778 tonnes. That ranks it 30th of 131 countries worldwide, with 0% of world exports. The value was up 20% on 2023.
Which countries buy welding flux from South Africa?
The United Kingdom was the largest buyer with 43% of the value ($2.1 million), followed by Zimbabwe (12%) and Botswana (7%). The top three together account for 63%, out of 58 buyer countries in total. Saudi Arabia grew fastest among the top ten, up 398% on the year.
What is the average export price of welding flux per kg?
The average declared export value was about $6.34 per kg in 2024, 24% above the world average of $5.11 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 welding flux from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $5.5 million in 2017 to $4.9 million in 2024, a fall of 10%. The peak was 2017 at $5.5 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import welding flux?
Yes. South Africa imported $4.3 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Germany, the United States and Poland. That compares with exports of $4.9 million in the same year.
What is the HS code for welding flux?
The HS code for welding flux is heading 3810. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 3810.10 (70% of the value) and 3810.90 (30%). It sits in HS chapter 38 (chemical products n.e.c.). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 3810 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.
Same product, other countries
See what your buyers are buying.Then decide.
Everything we show you comes from official customs filings — records, not claims. 30 minutes. Your shipment. Your HS code. Real platform. If you don’t see something new about your market by the end of the call, we walk away. No follow-ups.