Detergent exports from Zambia: data, top buyers and prices
In 2024, Zambia exported detergent worth $86.6 million (61.7 thousand tonnes). Value fell 7% from 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 15% a year on average.
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 | $86.6M | 61.7K t |
| 2023 | $93.6M | 63.0K t |
| 2022 | $92.0M | 69.5K t |
| 2021 | $73.5M | 158.7K t |
| 2020 | $61.7M | 38.3K t |
| 2019 | $45.9M | 27.7K t |
| 2018 | $39.7M | 24.1K t |
| 2017 | $31.9M | 21.2K t |
Where Zambia exports detergent to
One buyer market dominates: DR Congo accounted for 79% of the value. Among the main buyer markets, Malawi grew fastest (+73% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| DR Congo | $68.2M | 79% |
| Malawi | $8.2M | 9.5% |
| Zimbabwe | $5.4M | 6.2% |
| Mozambique | $4.5M | 5.2% |
| South Africa | $160K | 0.2% |
| Namibia | $130K | 0.2% |
| Botswana | $7K | 0% |
| Tanzania | $2K | 0% |
| Spain | $1K | 0% |
| India | $1K | 0% |
Product types under HS 3402
| 3402.20 | Retail laundry detergent | 93% |
| 3402.90 | Bulk washing concentrate | 6.3% |
| 3402.19 | Amphoteric surfactant | 0.5% |
| 3402.11 | Anionic surfactant | 0.2% |
| 3402.13 | Non-ionic surfactant | 0% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 3402.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.40 per kg, 26% below the world average of $1.88, 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.
Detergent imports to Zambia
Zambia imported $55.4 million of detergent in 2024 (37.0 thousand tonnes). The largest suppliers were South Africa (38%), South Korea (19%), China (12%). Among the main suppliers, United Kingdom grew fastest (+852% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | $21.0M | 38% |
| South Korea | $10.6M | 19% |
| China | $6.8M | 12% |
| Qatar | $3.4M | 6.1% |
| Namibia | $3.0M | 5.5% |
| India | $2.8M | 5.1% |
| United Arab Emirates | $2.3M | 4.2% |
| United Kingdom | $1.3M | 2.3% |
| United States | $639K | 1.2% |
| Tanzania | $602K | 1.1% |
Who is behind these numbers in Zambia?
The shipment records behind Zambia detergent exports (HS 3402): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
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.
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 3402: Organic surface-active agents (not soap); surface-active, washing (including auxiliary washing) and cleaning preparations, containing soap or not, excluding those of heading no. 3401.
Common questions
What is the value of detergent exported by Zambia?
Zambia exported detergent worth $86.6 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 61.7 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 48th of 203 countries worldwide, with 0% of world exports. The value was down 7% on 2023.
Which countries buy detergent from Zambia?
The DR Congo was the largest buyer with 79% of the value ($68.2 million), followed by Malawi (10%) and Zimbabwe (6%). The top three together account for 94%, out of 16 buyer countries in total. Malawi grew fastest among the top ten, up 73% on the year.
What is the average export price of detergent per kg?
The average declared export value was about $1.40 per kg in 2024, 26% below the world average of $1.88 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have exports of detergent from Zambia changed since 2017?
Exports went from $31.9 million in 2017 to $86.6 million in 2024, an increase of 172%. The peak was 2023 at $93.6 million. Over 8 years the average was $65.6 million a year.
Does Zambia also import detergent?
Yes. Zambia imported $55.4 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from South Africa, South Korea and China. On balance Zambia is a net exporter of this product, by about $31.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for detergent?
The HS code for detergent is heading 3402. In Zambia the largest six-digit codes were 3402.20 (93% of the value) and 3402.90 (6%).
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
For Zambia, EximDataX reads the shipment records of the countries that trade with it and shows the companies on both sides. We can walk you through your product on a short call.
Same product, other countries
Detergent product types in Zambia
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.