Match imports in Zambia: data, top suppliers and prices
Zambia imported $2.2 million of match in 2024 (1.6 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Value fell 6% from 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 17% a year on average.
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 | $2.2M | 1.6K t |
| 2023 | $2.3M | 1.8K t |
| 2022 | $1.4M | 1.2K t |
| 2021 | $1.4M | 1.3K t |
| 2020 | $748K | 404 t |
| 2019 | $1.6M | 560 t |
| 2018 | $454K | 291 t |
| 2017 | $703K | 326 t |
Where Zambia imports match from
One supplier dominates: Kenya accounted for 59% of the value.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Kenya | $1.3M | 59% |
| India | $607K | 28% |
| South Africa | $162K | 7.5% |
| Malawi | $66K | 3% |
| United Arab Emirates | $49K | 2.3% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.36 per kg, 35% below the world average of $2.10, 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.
Match exports from Zambia
Exports of match by Zambia reached $351 thousand in 2024 (217 tonnes). One buyer market dominates: DR Congo accounted for 100% of the value. Among the main buyer markets, DR Congo grew fastest (+91% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| DR Congo | $351K | 100% |
Who is behind these numbers in Zambia?
The shipment records behind Zambia match imports (HS 3605): 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 3605: Matches; other than pyrotechnic articles of heading no. 3604.
Common questions
What is the value of match imported by Zambia?
Zambia imported match worth $2.2 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 1.6 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 21st of 196 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was down 6% on 2023.
Which countries supply match to Zambia?
Kenya was the largest supplier with 59% of the value ($1.3 million), followed by India (28%) and South Africa (8%). The top three together account for 95%, out of 5 supplier countries in total. The United Arab Emirates grew fastest among the top ten, up 20% on the year.
What is the average import price of match per kg?
The average declared import value was about $1.36 per kg in 2024, 35% below the world average of $2.10 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of match to Zambia changed since 2017?
Imports went from $703 thousand in 2017 to $2.2 million in 2024, an increase of 207%. The peak was 2023 at $2.3 million. Over 8 years the average was $1.3 million a year.
Does Zambia also export match?
Yes. Zambia exported $351 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to the DR Congo. On balance Zambia is a net importer of this product, by about $1.8 million a year.
What is the HS code for match?
The HS code for match is heading 3605. In Zambia all of this trade was declared under the six-digit code 3605.00. It sits in HS chapter 36 (explosives; pyrotechnic products; matches; pyrophoric alloys; certain combustible preparations). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 3605 page.
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.
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.