Wooden ornaments and inlaid exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
South Africa exported $4.3 million of wooden ornaments and inlaid in 2024 (2.7 thousand tonnes). Value fell 26% from 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2021, at $10.8 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 | $4.3M | 2.7K t |
| 2023 | $5.8M | 2.6K t |
| 2022 | $6.4M | 3.0K t |
| 2021 | $10.8M | 4.6K t |
| 2020 | $5.7M | 2.8K t |
| 2019 | $6.9M | 3.2K t |
| 2018 | $6.6M | 2.2K t |
| 2017 | $5.8M | 2.9K t |
Where South Africa exports wooden ornaments and inlaid to
The largest buyer markets were Lesotho (22%), Botswana (22%), Namibia (16%). Among the main buyer markets, Tanzania grew fastest (+82% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Lesotho | $963K | 22% |
| Botswana | $931K | 22% |
| Namibia | $673K | 16% |
| Eswatini | $480K | 11% |
| Zambia | $333K | 7.7% |
| United States | $165K | 3.8% |
| Mauritius | $126K | 2.9% |
| DR Congo | $89K | 2.1% |
| Tanzania | $81K | 1.9% |
| Angola | $53K | 1.2% |
Product types under HS 4420
| 4420.90 | Wood: marquetry and inlaid wood, caskets and cases for jewellery or cutlery and similar articles of wood, wooden articles of furniture not falling in… | 88% |
| 4420.10 | Wood: statuettes and other ornaments of wood | 12% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 4420.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.59 per kg, 77% below the world average of $6.94, 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.
Wooden ornaments and inlaid imports to South Africa
South Africa imported $2.4 million of wooden ornaments and inlaid in 2024 (619 tonnes). China alone supplied 73% of it.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $1.7M | 73% |
| Indonesia | $209K | 8.7% |
| India | $116K | 4.8% |
| Namibia | $65K | 2.7% |
| Germany | $39K | 1.6% |
| Switzerland | $31K | 1.3% |
| France | $24K | 1% |
| Italy | $20K | 0.8% |
| United States | $18K | 0.8% |
| Austria | $17K | 0.7% |
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 4420: Wood marquetry and inlaid wood; caskets and cases for jewellery or cutlery, and similar articles of wood; statuettes and other ornaments of wood; wooden articles of furniture not falling in chapter 94.
Common questions
What is the value of wooden ornaments and inlaid exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported wooden ornaments and inlaid worth $4.3 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 2.7 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 33rd of 196 countries worldwide, with 0% of world exports. The value was down 26% on 2023.
Which countries buy wooden ornaments and inlaid from South Africa?
Lesotho was the largest buyer with 22% of the value ($963 thousand), followed by Botswana (22%) and Namibia (16%). The top three together account for 60%, out of 72 buyer countries in total. Tanzania grew fastest among the top ten, up 82% on the year.
What is the average export price of wooden ornaments and inlaid per kg?
The average declared export value was about $1.59 per kg in 2024, 77% below the world average of $6.94 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 wooden ornaments and inlaid from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $5.8 million in 2017 to $4.3 million in 2024, a fall of 26%. The peak was 2021 at $10.8 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import wooden ornaments and inlaid?
Yes. South Africa imported $2.4 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from China, Indonesia and India. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $1.9 million a year.
What is the HS code for wooden ornaments and inlaid?
The HS code for wooden ornaments and inlaid is heading 4420. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 4420.90 (88% of the value) and 4420.10 (12%). It sits in HS chapter 44 (wood and articles of wood; wood charcoal). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 4420 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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