Wood charcoal exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
South Africa exported $29.0 million of wood charcoal in 2024 (52.5 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 2%. Value fell 25% from 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2023, at $38.8 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 | $29.0M | 52.5K t |
| 2023 | $38.8M | 59.3K t |
| 2022 | $32.9M | 59.3K t |
| 2021 | $30.6M | 48.3K t |
| 2020 | $28.0M | 47.7K t |
| 2019 | $25.3M | 44.6K t |
| 2018 | $25.7M | 40.1K t |
| 2017 | $20.6M | 37.3K t |
Where South Africa exports wood charcoal to
Most of it went to United Kingdom (24%), Netherlands (15%), United States (11%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 50%. Among the main buyer markets, Saudi Arabia grew fastest (+137% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | $6.9M | 24% |
| Netherlands | $4.3M | 15% |
| United States | $3.3M | 11% |
| Kuwait | $2.6M | 8.9% |
| Saudi Arabia | $2.1M | 7.2% |
| United Arab Emirates | $1.8M | 6.3% |
| France | $1.2M | 4% |
| Cyprus | $1.2M | 4% |
| Germany | $1.1M | 3.9% |
| Australia | $638K | 2.2% |
Product types under HS 4402
| 4402.90 | Wood: charcoal of wood other than bamboo (including shell or nut charcoal), whether or not agglomerated | 100% |
| 4402.10 | Wood: charcoal of bamboo (including shell or nut charcoal), whether or not agglomerated | 0.1% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 4402.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.55 per kg, close to the world average of $0.53.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Wood charcoal imports to South Africa
South Africa imported $19.9 million of wood charcoal in 2024 (127.6 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Namibia alone supplied 59% of it. Among the main suppliers, Zimbabwe grew fastest (+83% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | $11.7M | 59% |
| China | $5.8M | 29% |
| Zimbabwe | $665K | 3.3% |
| Indonesia | $565K | 2.8% |
| Mozambique | $387K | 2% |
| Malaysia | $348K | 1.8% |
| Angola | $82K | 0.4% |
| Eswatini | $72K | 0.4% |
| Turkey | $59K | 0.3% |
| India | $24K | 0.1% |
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 4402: Wood charcoal (including shell or nut charcoal), whether or not agglomerated.
Common questions
What is the value of wood charcoal exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported wood charcoal worth $29.0 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 52.5 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 17th of 156 countries worldwide, with 2% of world exports. The value was down 25% on 2023.
Which countries buy wood charcoal from South Africa?
The United Kingdom was the largest buyer with 24% of the value ($6.9 million), followed by the Netherlands (15%) and the United States (11%). The top three together account for 50%, out of 63 buyer countries in total. Saudi Arabia grew fastest among the top ten, up 137% on the year.
What is the average export price of wood charcoal per kg?
The average declared export value was about $0.55 per kg in 2024, close to the world average of $0.53 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 wood charcoal from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $20.6 million in 2017 to $29.0 million in 2024, an increase of 41%. The peak was 2023 at $38.8 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import wood charcoal?
Yes. South Africa imported $19.9 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Namibia, China and Zimbabwe. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $9.1 million a year.
What is the HS code for wood charcoal?
The HS code for wood charcoal is heading 4402. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 4402.90 (100% of the value) and 4402.10 (0%). It sits in HS chapter 44 (wood and articles of wood; wood charcoal). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 4402 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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