South Africa Imports from Saudi Arabia

South Africa's imports from Saudi Arabia fell to $2.47 billion in 2024, down from $3.1 billion in 2023, according to the UN Comtrade Database. This represents a decrease of 20.4% ($632.93 million) from the previous year. Top imports for South Africa from Saudi Arabia were Mineral fuels, oils, waxes, bitumen ($1.86 billion), Plastics and plastic articles ($196.02 million) and Fertilizers ($132.68 million).

South Africa had a trade deficit with Saudi Arabia that narrowed to $2.07 billion in 2024 from $2.66 billion in 2023. This is a decrease of 22.1% ($589.44 million).

South Africa Imports from Saudi Arabia by Goods (2024)

The table below shows the ranking of South Africa imports from Saudi Arabia by goods in 2024, highlighting the top imported goods.

Import Rank Imported Goods Import Value (USD) Year
1 Mineral fuels, oils, waxes, bitumen $1.86B 2024
2 Plastics and plastic articles $196.02M 2024
3 Fertilizers $132.68M 2024
4 Organic chemicals $130.50M 2024
5 Miscellaneous chemical products $49.37M 2024
6 Salt, sulphur, stone, cement $21.34M 2024
7 Inorganic chemicals, precious metal compounds, isotopes $21.26M 2024
8 Paper, paperboard and articles $20.83M 2024
9 Machinery, mechanical appliances, reactors $8.03M 2024
10 Rubber and rubber articles $3.76M 2024
11 Ships, boats, floating structures $2.49M 2024
12 Fish, crustaceans, molluscs, aquatic invertebrates $2.36M 2024
13 Glass and glassware $2.15M 2024
14 Man-made filaments $2.00M 2024
15 Articles of stone, cement, mica, asbestos $1.85M 2024
16 Edible fruits and nuts, citrus or melon peel $1.23M 2024
17 Cereal, flour, starch, milk preparations, bakery $1.13M 2024
18 Optical, medical, measuring instruments $842,120.83 2024
19 Glues, enzymes, modified starches $608,630.90 2024
20 Wadding, felt, twine, ropes, cords $403,718.55 2024
21 Zinc and zinc articles $350,607.33 2024
22 Miscellaneous base metal articles $335,304.86 2024
23 Electrical machinery and equipment; audio and video equipment $296,116.54 2024
24 Dyes, pigments, tanning extracts, paints, inks $289,011.48 2024
25 Vehicles other than railway or tramway and parts $233,711.90 2024
26 Man-made staple fibres $173,590.93 2024
27 Other base metals, cermets $101,629.75 2024
28 Soap, detergents, waxes, candles, dental products $80,944.50 2024
29 Articles of iron or steel $77,213.54 2024
30 Unspecified commodities $71,824.48 2024
31 Aircraft, spacecraft, parts $66,134.90 2024
32 Non-knitted clothing $65,631.99 2024
33 Beverages, spirits, vinegar $26,312.05 2024
34 Knitted or crocheted clothing $16,998.55 2024
35 Pharmaceutical products $13,845.07 2024
36 Sugar and confectionery $11,366.62 2024
37 Works of art, antiques $11,016.57 2024
38 Essential oils, perfumery, cosmetics $10,662.32 2024
39 Carpets and textile floor coverings $10,398.20 2024
40 Miscellaneous edible preparations $8,634.80 2024
41 Milling products, malt, starch, inulin, wheat gluten $8,611.33 2024
42 Prepared vegetables, fruits, nuts $8,051.21 2024
43 Cocoa and cocoa preparations $7,670.91 2024
44 Clocks, watches, parts $7,374.15 2024
45 Toys, games, sports goods $7,363.07 2024
46 Printed books, newspapers, printed matter $5,822.90 2024
47 Footwear and parts $5,769.24 2024
48 Coffee, tea, mate, spices $5,417.55 2024
49 Furniture, bedding, lighting, prefabricated buildings $4,290.27 2024
50 Tobacco, nicotine products and substitutes $3,593.01 2024
51 Leather goods, bags, saddlery, travel goods $2,993.91 2024
52 Railway locomotives, rolling stock, track equipment $2,956.19 2024
53 Ores, slag, ash $2,567.27 2024
54 Other textile articles, worn clothing, rags $2,166.94 2024
55 Wood and wood products, charcoal $2,121.74 2024
56 Headgear $764.51 2024
57 Tools, cutlery, base metal parts $626.89 2024
58 Pearls, precious stones, metals, jewelry, coins $362.06 2024
59 Miscellaneous manufactured goods $171.20 2024
60 Copper and copper articles $171.04 2024
61 Aluminium and aluminium articles $147.56 2024
62 Ceramic products $145.82 2024
63 Cotton $139.92 2024
64 Edible vegetables, roots, tubers $135.39 2024
65 Raw hides, skins, leather $124.03 2024
66 Fats and oils, edible fats, waxes $118.90 2024
67 Musical instruments, parts $109.02 2024
68 Basketware, wickerwork, straw goods $49.68 2024
69 Live animals $40.94 2024
70 Feathers, down, artificial flowers, human hair goods $12.94 2024
71 Dairy, eggs, honey, other animal products $11.25 2024
72 Technical textile fabrics, coated fabrics $10.65 2024
73 Food industry residues, animal feed $6.22 2024
74 Knitted or crocheted fabrics $5.62 2024
75 Prepared meat, fish, crustaceans, insects $5.08 2024