Zinc ingots imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $143.3 million of zinc ingots in 2024 (56.7 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. That is 8% less than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 7% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2022, at $269.5 million.
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 | $143.3M | 56.7K t |
| 2023 | $156.2M | 53.3K t |
| 2022 | $269.5M | 92.1K t |
| 2021 | $197.8M | 77.7K t |
| 2020 | $131.0M | 57.0K t |
| 2019 | $130.8M | 51.3K t |
| 2018 | $144.8M | 52.4K t |
| 2017 | $231.1M | 79.3K t |
Where South Africa imports zinc ingots from
One supplier dominates: Brazil accounted for 66% of the value. Among the main suppliers, Japan grew fastest (+91% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Brazil | $94.1M | 66% |
| Japan | $11.5M | 8% |
| Spain | $10.7M | 7.5% |
| Australia | $4.9M | 3.5% |
| Belgium | $4.5M | 3.1% |
| India | $3.9M | 2.7% |
| Republic of the Congo | $3.8M | 2.7% |
| South Korea | $3.4M | 2.4% |
| United States | $1.4M | 1% |
| China | $1.4M | 1% |
Product types under HS 7901
| 7901.11 | Zinc: unwrought, (not alloyed), containing by weight 99.99% or more of zinc | 67% |
| 7901.12 | Zinc: unwrought, (not alloyed), containing by weight less than 99.99% of zinc | 33% |
| 7901.20 | Zinc: unwrought, alloys | 0.1% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 7901.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $2.53 per kg, 71% above the world average of $1.48. 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.
Zinc ingots exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $463 thousand of zinc ingots in 2024 (152 tonnes). One buyer market dominates: Zimbabwe accounted for 61% of the value. Among the main buyer markets, Namibia grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zimbabwe | $283K | 61% |
| Mozambique | $113K | 24% |
| India | $41K | 8.8% |
| Namibia | $17K | 3.7% |
| Sri Lanka | $5K | 1.1% |
| Ghana | $4K | 0.8% |
| Botswana | $1K | 0.2% |
| Malawi | $0K | 0% |
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 7901: Zinc; unwrought.
Common questions
What is the value of zinc ingots imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported zinc ingots worth $143.3 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 56.7 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 25th of 161 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was down 8% on 2023.
Which countries supply zinc ingots to South Africa?
Brazil was the largest supplier with 66% of the value ($94.1 million), followed by Japan (8%) and Spain (7%). The top three together account for 81%, out of 24 supplier countries in total. Japan grew fastest among the top ten, up 91% on the year.
What is the average import price of zinc ingots per kg?
The average declared import value was about $2.53 per kg in 2024, 71% above the world average of $1.48 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 imports of zinc ingots to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $231.1 million in 2017 to $143.3 million in 2024, a fall of 38%. The peak was 2022 at $269.5 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export zinc ingots?
Yes. South Africa exported $463 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Zimbabwe, Mozambique and India. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $142.9 million a year.
What is the HS code for zinc ingots?
The HS code for zinc ingots is heading 7901. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 7901.11 (67% of the value) and 7901.12 (32%). It sits in HS chapter 79 (zinc and articles thereof). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 7901 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.
More trade data for South Africa
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