Phosphate imports in Zambia: data, top suppliers and prices
Zambia imported $8.3 million of phosphate in 2024 (6.9 thousand tonnes). Value fell 25% from 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2022, at $14.2 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 | $8.3M | 6.9K t |
| 2023 | $11.1M | 7.1K t |
| 2022 | $14.2M | 8.5K t |
| 2021 | $8.7M | 7.2K t |
| 2020 | $6.4M | 6.4K t |
| 2019 | $6.3M | 6.1K t |
| 2018 | $7.7M | 5.9K t |
| 2017 | $7.0M | 7.9K t |
Where Zambia imports phosphate from
China alone supplied 57% of it. Among the main suppliers, Hong Kong grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $4.7M | 57% |
| South Africa | $2.2M | 27% |
| Hong Kong | $488K | 5.9% |
| DR Congo | $463K | 5.6% |
| United Arab Emirates | $233K | 2.8% |
| India | $49K | 0.6% |
| Mozambique | $46K | 0.6% |
| Namibia | $27K | 0.3% |
| Spain | $25K | 0.3% |
| Tanzania | $4K | 0.1% |
Product types under HS 2835
| 2835.31 | Sodium tripolyphosphate | 42% |
| 2835.26 | Calcium phosphate (other) | 38% |
| 2835.39 | Polyphosphates (other) | 12% |
| 2835.25 | Dicalcium phosphate | 2.7% |
| 2835.24 | Potassium phosphate | 2.1% |
| 2835.29 | Phosphates (other) | 1.9% |
| 2835.10 | Hypophosphites and phosphites | 0.8% |
| 2835.22 | Sodium phosphate | 0.5% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 2835.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.20 per kg, close to the world average of $1.17.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Phosphate exports from Zambia
Zambia exported $845 thousand of phosphate in 2024 (546 tonnes). DR Congo alone took 100% of it.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| DR Congo | $845K | 100% |
Who is behind these numbers in Zambia?
The shipment records behind Zambia phosphate imports (HS 2835): 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 2835: Phosphinates (hypophosphites), phosphonates (phosphites), and phosphates; and polyphosphates, whether or not chemically defined.
Common questions
What is the value of phosphate imported by Zambia?
Zambia imported phosphate worth $8.3 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 6.9 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 71st of 204 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 25% on 2023.
Which countries supply phosphate to Zambia?
China was the largest supplier with 57% of the value ($4.7 million), followed by South Africa (27%) and Hong Kong (6%). The top three together account for 90%, out of 15 supplier countries in total. The United Arab Emirates grew fastest among the top ten, up 69% on the year.
What is the average import price of phosphate per kg?
The average declared import value was about $1.20 per kg in 2024, close to the world average of $1.17 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of phosphate to Zambia changed since 2017?
Imports went from $7.0 million in 2017 to $8.3 million in 2024, an increase of 19%. The peak was 2022 at $14.2 million. Over 8 years the average was $8.7 million a year.
Does Zambia also export phosphate?
Yes. Zambia exported $845 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to the DR Congo. On balance Zambia is a net importer of this product, by about $7.4 million a year.
What is the HS code for phosphate?
The HS code for phosphate is heading 2835. In Zambia the largest six-digit codes were 2835.31 (42% of the value) and 2835.26 (38%).
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
Phosphate product types in Zambia
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