Packaged medicines imports in Zambia: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of packaged medicines by Zambia reached $214.3 million in 2024 (13.8 thousand tonnes). That is 25% more than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable.
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 | $214.3M | 13.8K t |
| 2023 | $171.0M | 20.7K t |
| 2022 | $220.1M | 104.5K t |
| 2021 | $220.3M | 55.1K t |
| 2020 | $161.5M | 4.8K t |
| 2019 | $133.0M | 4.1K t |
| 2018 | $191.0M | 5.1K t |
| 2017 | $125.2M | 3.7K t |
Where Zambia imports packaged medicines from
Most of the value came from India (49%), China (7%), Denmark (6%). Among the main suppliers, Denmark grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| India | $105.1M | 49% |
| China | $15.3M | 7.1% |
| Denmark | $12.4M | 5.8% |
| South Africa | $11.9M | 5.5% |
| Egypt | $11.6M | 5.4% |
| United States | $11.0M | 5.1% |
| Uganda | $10.1M | 4.7% |
| Kenya | $7.8M | 3.6% |
| United Arab Emirates | $6.3M | 3% |
| Netherlands | $4.7M | 2.2% |
Product types under HS 3004
| 3004.90 | Medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale | 85% |
| 3004.20 | Antibiotic medicines (packaged) | 5.8% |
| 3004.50 | Vitamin medicines (packaged) | 3.4% |
| 3004.60 | Antimalarial medicines (packaged) | 2.2% |
| 3004.10 | Penicillin and streptomycin medicines (packaged) | 1.7% |
| 3004.39 | Hormone medicines (packaged) | 0.9% |
| 3004.31 | Insulin medicines (packaged) | 0.4% |
| 3004.32 | Corticosteroid medicines (packaged) | 0.2% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 3004.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $15.57 per kg, 81% below the world average of $80.84, 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.
Packaged medicines exports from Zambia
Zambia exported $3.0 million of packaged medicines in 2024 (136 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Zimbabwe (42%), South Africa (27%), Uganda (11%). Among the main buyer markets, South Africa grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zimbabwe | $1.3M | 42% |
| South Africa | $806K | 27% |
| Uganda | $334K | 11% |
| Malawi | $170K | 5.6% |
| Philippines | $159K | 5.2% |
| Angola | $116K | 3.8% |
| Central African Republic | $52K | 1.7% |
| Namibia | $50K | 1.6% |
| DR Congo | $42K | 1.4% |
| Rwanda | $10K | 0.3% |
Who is behind these numbers in Zambia?
The shipment records behind Zambia packaged medicines imports (HS 3004): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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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 3004: Medicaments; (not goods of heading no. 3002, 3005 or 3006) consisting of mixed or unmixed products for therapeutic or prophylactic use, put up in measured doses (incl. those in the form of transdermal admin. systems) or packed for retail sale.
Common questions
What is the value of packaged medicines imported by Zambia?
Zambia imported packaged medicines worth $214.3 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 13.8 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 109th of 225 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 25% on 2023.
Which countries supply packaged medicines to Zambia?
India was the largest supplier with 49% of the value ($105.1 million), followed by China (7%) and Denmark (6%). The top three together account for 62%, out of 58 supplier countries in total. China grew fastest among the top ten, up 108% on the year.
What is the average import price of packaged medicines per kg?
The average declared import value was about $15.57 per kg in 2024, 81% below the world average of $80.84 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of packaged medicines to Zambia changed since 2017?
Imports went from $125.2 million in 2017 to $214.3 million in 2024, an increase of 71%. The peak was 2021 at $220.3 million. Over 8 years the average was $179.5 million a year.
Does Zambia also export packaged medicines?
Yes. Zambia exported $3.0 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Zimbabwe, South Africa and Uganda. On balance Zambia is a net importer of this product, by about $211.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for packaged medicines?
The HS code for packaged medicines is heading 3004. In Zambia the largest six-digit codes were 3004.90 (85% of the value) and 3004.20 (6%).
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
The totals here are public statistics; EximDataX adds the company names by reading partner countries' customs records for Zambia. Tell us your product to see it live.
Same product, other countries
Packaged medicines product types in Zambia
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