Medical instruments imports in Zimbabwe: data, top suppliers and prices
Zimbabwe imported $24.6 million of medical instruments in 2024 (1.1 thousand tonnes). That is 8% more than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2021, at $31.2 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 | $24.6M | 1.1K t |
| 2023 | $22.9M | 831 t |
| 2022 | $21.8M | 852 t |
| 2021 | $31.2M | 1.4K t |
| 2020 | $28.8M | 1.1K t |
| 2019 | $20.2M | 1.2K t |
| 2018 | $20.0M | 1.1K t |
| 2017 | $17.6M | 723 t |
Where Zimbabwe imports medical instruments from
The largest suppliers were South Africa (37%), China (13%), Germany (12%). Among the main suppliers, Australia grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | $9.0M | 37% |
| China | $3.2M | 13% |
| Germany | $2.8M | 12% |
| Netherlands | $2.0M | 8% |
| Hong Kong | $1.8M | 7.2% |
| India | $1.1M | 4.5% |
| Denmark | $1.0M | 4.3% |
| Australia | $827K | 3.4% |
| United States | $612K | 2.5% |
| Kenya | $319K | 1.3% |
Product types under HS 9018
| 9018.90 | Medical instruments (other) | 59% |
| 9018.13 | MRI machines | 11% |
| 9018.39 | Catheters and cannulae | 8.1% |
| 9018.31 | Medical syringes | 6.8% |
| 9018.12 | Ultrasound machines | 5% |
| 9018.19 | Electrodiagnostic equipment | 4.7% |
| 9018.50 | Ophthalmic instruments | 2.7% |
| 9018.49 | Dental instruments | 1.3% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 9018.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $21.60 per kg, 42% below the world average of $37.39, 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.
Medical instruments exports from Zimbabwe
Exports of medical instruments by Zimbabwe reached $206 thousand in 2024 (5 tonnes). One buyer market dominates: South Africa accounted for 80% of the value. Among the main buyer markets, Spain grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | $165K | 80% |
| Spain | $14K | 6.8% |
| Zambia | $11K | 5.4% |
| United States | $5K | 2.5% |
| United Kingdom | $4K | 2.1% |
| Netherlands | $2K | 1.1% |
| Germany | $1K | 0.6% |
| Italy | $1K | 0.6% |
| Namibia | $1K | 0.5% |
| Belgium | $0K | 0.1% |
Who is behind these numbers in Zimbabwe?
The shipment records behind Zimbabwe medical instruments imports (HS 9018): 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 9018: Instruments and appliances used in medical, surgical, dental or veterinary sciences, including scintigraphic apparatus, other electro-medical apparatus and sight testing instruments.
Common questions
What is the value of medical instruments imported by Zimbabwe?
Zimbabwe imported medical instruments worth $24.6 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 1.1 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 119th of 226 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 8% on 2023.
Which countries supply medical instruments to Zimbabwe?
South Africa was the largest supplier with 37% of the value ($9.0 million), followed by China (13%) and Germany (12%). The top three together account for 61%, out of 48 supplier countries in total. The Netherlands grew fastest among the top ten, up 280% on the year.
What is the average import price of medical instruments per kg?
The average declared import value was about $21.60 per kg in 2024, 42% below the world average of $37.39 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of medical instruments to Zimbabwe changed since 2017?
Imports went from $17.6 million in 2017 to $24.6 million in 2024, an increase of 40%. The peak was 2021 at $31.2 million. Over 8 years the average was $23.4 million a year.
Does Zimbabwe also export medical instruments?
Yes. Zimbabwe exported $206 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to South Africa, Spain and Zambia. On balance Zimbabwe is a net importer of this product, by about $24.4 million a year.
What is the HS code for medical instruments?
The HS code for medical instruments is heading 9018. In Zimbabwe the largest six-digit codes were 9018.90 (59% of the value) and 9018.13 (11%).
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
For Zimbabwe, 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
World medical instruments trade: top importers and exporters
Medical instruments product types in Zimbabwe
See what your buyers are buying.Then decide.
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