Cellulose imports in Zimbabwe: data, top suppliers and prices
Zimbabwe imported $19.1 million of cellulose in 2024 (5.2 thousand tonnes). Value fell 16% from 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2022, at $35.4 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 | $19.1M | 5.2K t |
| 2023 | $22.9M | 5.5K t |
| 2022 | $35.4M | 8.1K t |
| 2021 | $18.5M | 6.0K t |
| 2020 | $20.0M | 7.0K t |
| 2019 | $16.6M | 5.5K t |
| 2018 | $24.7M | 5.9K t |
| 2017 | $14.9M | 5.0K t |
Where Zimbabwe imports cellulose from
South Africa alone supplied 77% of it. Among the main suppliers, Germany grew fastest (+227% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | $14.8M | 77% |
| China | $2.9M | 15% |
| Germany | $748K | 3.9% |
| Turkey | $365K | 1.9% |
| United Arab Emirates | $86K | 0.5% |
| India | $74K | 0.4% |
| Eswatini | $72K | 0.4% |
| Switzerland | $43K | 0.2% |
| Belgium | $27K | 0.1% |
| Ireland | $9K | 0.1% |
Product types under HS 3912
| 3912.31 | Carboxymethyl cellulose | 91% |
| 3912.39 | Cellulose ethers (other) | 6.4% |
| 3912.90 | Cellulose derivatives (other) | 2.3% |
| 3912.20 | Cellulose nitrate | 0.9% |
| 3912.11 | Cellulose acetate (unplasticized) | 0% |
| 3912.12 | Cellulose acetates: plasticised, in primary forms | 0% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 3912.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $3.65 per kg, 25% below the world average of $4.87, 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.
Who is behind these numbers in Zimbabwe?
The shipment records behind Zimbabwe cellulose imports (HS 3912): 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 3912: Cellulose and its chemical derivatives, n.e.c. or included, in primary forms.
Common questions
What is the value of cellulose imported by Zimbabwe?
Zimbabwe imported cellulose worth $19.1 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 5.2 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 60th of 196 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 16% on 2023.
Which countries supply cellulose to Zimbabwe?
South Africa was the largest supplier with 77% of the value ($14.8 million), followed by China (15%) and Germany (4%). The top three together account for 96%, out of 14 supplier countries in total. Germany grew fastest among the top ten, up 227% on the year.
What is the average import price of cellulose per kg?
The average declared import value was about $3.65 per kg in 2024, 25% below the world average of $4.87 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of cellulose to Zimbabwe changed since 2017?
Imports went from $14.9 million in 2017 to $19.1 million in 2024, an increase of 29%. The peak was 2022 at $35.4 million. Over 8 years the average was $21.5 million a year.
What is the HS code for cellulose?
The HS code for cellulose is heading 3912. In Zimbabwe the largest six-digit codes were 3912.31 (90% of the value) and 3912.39 (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 Zimbabwe. Tell us your product to see it live.
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