Caustic soda imports in Uganda: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of caustic soda by Uganda reached $15.3 million in 2024 (21.0 thousand tonnes). Value fell 6% from 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 14% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2022, at $19.7 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 | $15.3M | 21.0K t |
| 2023 | $16.3M | 22.1K t |
| 2022 | $19.7M | 22.3K t |
| 2021 | $13.2M | 20.6K t |
| 2020 | $9.4M | 22.3K t |
| 2019 | $12.6M | 19.8K t |
| 2018 | $16.3M | 22.4K t |
| 2017 | $6.0M | 9.2K t |
Where Uganda imports caustic soda from
One supplier dominates: India accounted for 76% of the value. Among the main suppliers, Qatar grew fastest (+120% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| India | $11.7M | 76% |
| China | $1.2M | 8.1% |
| Qatar | $876K | 5.7% |
| United Arab Emirates | $695K | 4.6% |
| Saudi Arabia | $367K | 2.4% |
| Kenya | $319K | 2.1% |
| Iran | $52K | 0.3% |
| South Africa | $40K | 0.3% |
| Malaysia | $22K | 0.1% |
| Germany | $4K | 0% |
Product types under HS 2815
| 2815.11 | Sodium hydroxide solid | 99% |
| 2815.20 | Potassium hydroxide | 0.4% |
| 2815.30 | Peroxides of sodium or potassium | 0.3% |
| 2815.12 | Sodium hydroxide solution | 0.1% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 2815.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.73 per kg, 115% above the world average of $0.34. 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.
Caustic soda exports from Uganda
Uganda exported $3.1 million of caustic soda in 2024 (4.1 thousand tonnes). One buyer market dominates: DR Congo accounted for 96% of the value. Among the main buyer markets, DR Congo grew fastest (+68% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| DR Congo | $3.0M | 96% |
| Burundi | $62K | 2% |
| Republic of the Congo | $31K | 1% |
| Kenya | $15K | 0.5% |
| South Sudan | $4K | 0.1% |
| Mauritania | $0K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in Uganda?
The shipment records behind Uganda caustic soda imports (HS 2815): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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Direct customs feed: shipment-level records from the official customs source.
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 2815: Sodium hydroxide (caustic soda); potassium hydroxide (caustic potash) peroxides of sodium or potassium.
Common questions
What is the value of caustic soda imported by Uganda?
Uganda imported caustic soda worth $15.3 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 21.0 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 62nd of 216 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 6% on 2023.
Which countries supply caustic soda to Uganda?
India was the largest supplier with 76% of the value ($11.7 million), followed by China (8%) and Qatar (6%). The top three together account for 90%, out of 15 supplier countries in total. South Africa grew fastest among the top ten, up 492% on the year.
What is the average import price of caustic soda per kg?
The average declared import value was about $0.73 per kg in 2024, 115% above the world average of $0.34 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of caustic soda to Uganda changed since 2017?
Imports went from $6.0 million in 2017 to $15.3 million in 2024, an increase of 153%. The peak was 2022 at $19.7 million. Over 8 years the average was $13.6 million a year.
Does Uganda also export caustic soda?
Yes. Uganda exported $3.1 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to the DR Congo, Burundi and the Republic of the Congo. On balance Uganda is a net importer of this product, by about $12.1 million a year.
What is the HS code for caustic soda?
The HS code for caustic soda is heading 2815. In Uganda the largest six-digit codes were 2815.11 (99% of the value) and 2815.20 (0%).
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
Shipment-level records for Uganda reach EximDataX from a direct customs feed, with company names, dates and declared values. We can show them for your product on a short call.
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