Countries with fastest growing economies 2022
Russian foreign trade
reports and reviews

Russian trade in goods with South Africa in Q4 2021

by Russian Foreign Trade
based on data from the Federal Customs Service of Russia
The Report on Russia’s foreign trade in goods with South Africa in the fourth quarter of 2021: exports, imports, products, dynamics.

Russia’s Trade with South Africa

In the 4th quarter of 2021, Russia’s trade with South Africa totaled $340,353,246, up 84.27% ($155,650,206) from the 4th quarter of 2020.

Russia’s exports to South Africa in the 4th quarter of 2021 totaled $138,620,024, up 241.20% ($97,992,613) from the 4th quarter of 2020.

Russia’s imports from South Africa in the 4th quarter of 2021 totaled $201,733,222, up 40.02% ($57,657,593) from the 4th quarter of 2020.

Russia’s trade deficit with South Africa in the 4th quarter of 2021 was $63,113,198, a 38.99% decrease ($40,335,020) over the 4th quarter of 2020.

South Africa was Russia’s 68th largest trading partner in the 4th quarter of 2021 (up from 73rd in the 4th quarter of 2020), accounting for 0.1464% of Russia’s total trade (up from 0.1140% in the 4th quarter of 2020).

South Africa was Russia’s 75th largest export market in the 4th quarter of 2021 (up from 89th in the 4th quarter of 2020), accounting for 0.0921% of Russia’s total exports (up from 0.0430% in the 4th quarter of 2020).

South Africa was Russia’s 49th largest supplier in the 4th quarter of 2021 (up from 54th in the 4th quarter of 2020), accounting for 0.2465% of Russia’s total imports (up from 0.2130% in the 4th quarter of 2020).

Russia’s Exports to South Africa

The major share of Russian exports to South Africa in the 4th quarter of 2021 (and in the 4th quarter of 2020) was accounted for the following product types:

  • Chemical products (HS codes 28-40) - 58.36% of Russia’s total exports to South Africa (40.21% in the 4th quarter of 2020);
  • Mineral products (HS codes 25-27) - 23.81% of Russia’s total exports to South Africa (14.23% in the 4th quarter of 2020);
  • Wood and wood products (HS codes 44-49) - 8.12% of Russia’s total exports to South Africa (16.29% in the 4th quarter of 2020);
  • Machinery, equipment and vehicles (HS codes 84-90) - 7.15% of Russia’s total exports to South Africa (10.07% in the 4th quarter of 2020);
  • Metals and products from them (HS codes 72-83) - 1.17% of Russia’s total exports to South Africa (3.22% in the 4th quarter of 2020);
  • Food products and agricultural raw materials (HS codes 01-24) - 0.98% of Russia’s total exports to South Africa (13.04% in the 4th quarter of 2020).

The largest gains in Russia’s exports to South Africa in the 4th quarter of 2021 over the 4th quarter of 2020 were recorded for the following product groups:

  • Fertilizers (HS code 31) - an increase of $58,293,982;
  • Mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation; bituminous substances; mineral waxes (HS code 27) - an increase of $27,013,186;
  • Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; parts and accessories thereof (HS code 90) - an increase of $5,457,277;
  • Inorganic chemicals; organic or inorganic compounds of precious metals, of rare-earth metals,of radioactive elements or of isotopes (HS code 28) - an increase of $3,711,197;
  • Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp, of paper or of paperboard (HS code 48) - an increase of $2,352,299;
  • Plastics and articles thereof (HS code 39) - an increase of $2,343,907;
  • Wood and articles of wood; wood charcoal (HS code 44) - an increase of $1,107,885;
  • Pulp of wood or of other fibrous cellulosic material; waste and scrap of paper or paperboard (HS code 47) - an increase of $1,098,865;
  • Iron and steel (HS code 72) - an increase of $1,068,072;
  • Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof (HS code 84) - an increase of $560,244;
  • Sugars and sugar confectionery (HS code 17) - an increase of $489,738.

The largest declines in Russia’s exports to South Africa in the 4th quarter of 2021 over the 4th quarter of 2020 were recorded for the following product groups:

  • Cereals (HS code 10) - a decrease of $4,744,667;
  • Miscellaneous manufactured articles (HS code 96) - a decrease of $794,336;
  • Aluminum and articles thereof (HS code 76) - a decrease of $695,435;
  • Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, and parts and accessories of such articles (HS code 85) - a decrease of $425,089.
Russia’s exports to South Africa in the 4th quarter of 2021 by product groups
HS
code
Name of product group Value of exports
in Q4 2021,
US dollars ($)
Percent share in total export Value of exports
in Q4 2020,
US dollars ($)
Percent change
in Q4 2021
over Q4 2020
03 Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates 0 0.00 64,800-100.00
09 Coffee, tea, maté and spices 256,565 0.19 16,9401,414.55
10 Cereals 222,992 0.16 4,967,659-95.51
11 Products of the milling industry; malt; starches; inulin; wheat gluten 114,032 0.08 0
12 Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits; miscellaneous grains, seeds and fruits; industrial or medicinal plants; straw and fodder 17,739 0.01 28,435-37.62
17 Sugars and sugar confectionery 489,738 0.35 0
18 Cocoa and cocoa preparations 60 0.00 0
19 Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk; bakers’ wares 160 0.00 0
21 Miscellaneous edible preparations 149,911 0.11 219,066-31.57
22 Beverages, spirits and vinegar 25,678 0.02 7036,582.86
24 Tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes 73,677 0.05 0
25 Salt; sulfur; earths and stone; plastering materials, lime and cement 60 0.00 19,475-99.69
27 Mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation; bituminous substances; mineral waxes 32,776,121 23.64 5,762,935468.74
28 Inorganic chemicals; organic or inorganic compounds of precious metals, of rare-earth metals,of radioactive elements or of isotopes 4,191,435 3.02 480,238772.78
29 Organic chemicals 189,903 0.14 571,775-66.79
30 Pharmaceutical products 0 0.00 83-100.00
31 Fertilizers 70,679,067 50.99 12,385,085470.68
32 Tanning or dyeing extracts; dyes, pigments, paints, varnishes, putty and mastics 0 0.00 9,976-100.00
33 Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery, cosmetic or toilet preparations 11,057 0.01 18,010-38.61
34 Soap, organic surface-active agents, washing preparations, lubricating preparations, artificial waxes, prepared waxes, polishing or scouring preparations, candles and similar articles, modeling pastes, "dental waxes" and dental preparations with a basis of plaster 1,357 0.00 50,165-97.29
35 Albuminoidal substances; modified starches; glues; enzymes 0 0.00 9-100.00
36 Explosives; pyrotechnic products; matches; pyrophoric alloys; certain combustible preparations 0 0.00 220,819-100.00
38 Miscellaneous chemical products 593,046 0.43 459,54329.05
39 Plastics and articles thereof 3,553,449 2.56 1,209,542193.78
40 Rubber and articles thereof 1,127,757 0.81 929,29621.36
42 Articles of leather; saddlery and harness; travel goods, handbags and similar containers; articles of animal gut (other than silkworm gut) 0 0.00 468-100.00
44 Wood and articles of wood; wood charcoal 1,601,839 1.16 493,954224.29
47 Pulp of wood or of other fibrous cellulosic material; waste and scrap of paper or paperboard 3,185,560 2.30 2,086,69552.66
48 Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp, of paper or of paperboard 6,391,458 4.61 4,039,15958.24
49 Printed books, newspapers, pictures and other products of the printing industry; manuscripts, typescripts and plans 2,854 0.00 1617,737.50
54 Man-made filaments 137,211 0.10 40,900235.48
56 Wadding, felt and nonwovens; special yarns, twine, cordage, ropes and cables and articles thereof 89,649 0.06 62,46143.53
58 Special woven fabrics; tufted textile fabrics; lace, tapestries; trimmings; embroidery 302 0.00 462-34.63
59 Impregnated, coated, covered or laminated textile fabrics; textile articles of a kind suitable for industrial use 343 0.00 261,219.23
61 Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted 3,943 0.00 5,906-33.24
62 Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted 11,642 0.01 25,817-54.91
63 Other made up textile articles; sets; worn clothing and worn textile articles; rags 596 0.00 39252.04
64 Footwear, gaiters and the like; parts of such articles 33,783 0.02 23,57243.32
65 Headgear and parts thereof 570 0.00 101464.36
66 Umbrellas, sun umbrellas, walking sticks, seatsticks, whips, riding-crops and parts thereof 668 0.00 0
67 Prepared feathers and down and articles made of feathers or of down; artificial flowers; articles of human hair 1,987 0.00 0
68 Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, mica or similar materials 46,533 0.03 19,661136.68
69 Ceramic products 1,850 0.00 210780.95
70 Glass and glassware 48,422 0.03 7596,279.71
71 Natural or cultured pearls, precious or semi-precious stones,precious metals, metals clad with precious metal and articles thereof; imitation jewelry; coin 102 0.00 0
72 Iron and steel 1,481,231 1.07 413,159258.51
73 Articles of iron or steel 12,764 0.01 27,187-53.05
74 Copper and articles thereof 526 0.00 572-8.04
76 Aluminum and articles thereof 1,169 0.00 696,604-99.83
78 Lead and articles thereof 0 0.00 50-100.00
82 Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks, of base metal; parts thereof of base metal 107,511 0.08 164,151-34.50
83 Miscellaneous articles of base metal 3,177 0.00 5,708-44.34
84 Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof 1,608,562 1.16 1,048,31853.44
85 Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, and parts and accessories of such articles 1,046,693 0.76 1,471,782-28.88
87 Vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling stock, and parts and accessories thereof 178,467 0.13 12,8961,283.89
90 Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; parts and accessories thereof 7,016,347 5.06 1,559,070350.03
94 Furniture; bedding, mattresses, mattress supports, cushions and similar stuffed furnishings; lamps and lighting fittings, not elsewhere specified or included; illuminated sign illuminated nameplates and the like; prefabricated buildings 1,039 0.00 4,719-77.98
95 Toys, games and sports requisites; parts and accessories thereof 0 0.00 10,139-100.00
96 Miscellaneous manufactured articles 188,310 0.14 982,646-80.84
97 Works of art, collectors’ pieces and antiques 0 0.00 100-100.00
SS Classified 0 0.00 15 830-100.00

Russia’s Imports from South Africa

The major share of Russian imports from South Africa in the 4th quarter of 2021 (and in the 4th quarter of 2020) was accounted for the following product types:

  • Food products and agricultural raw materials (HS codes 01-24) - 40.64% of Russia’s total imports from South Africa (30.08% in the 4th quarter of 2020);
  • Mineral products (HS codes 25-27) - 24.58% of Russia’s total imports from South Africa (27.58% in the 4th quarter of 2020);
  • Machinery, equipment and vehicles (HS codes 84-90) - 19.58% of Russia’s total imports from South Africa (30.03% in the 4th quarter of 2020);
  • Precious metals and stones (HS code 71) - 6.92% of Russia’s total imports from South Africa (0.05% in the 4th quarter of 2020);
  • Chemical products (HS codes 28-40) - 5.45% of Russia’s total imports from South Africa (8.77% in the 4th quarter of 2020);
  • Metals and products from them (HS codes 72-83) - 2.57% of Russia’s total imports from South Africa (3.09% in the 4th quarter of 2020).

The largest gains in Russia’s imports from South Africa in the 4th quarter of 2021 over the 4th quarter of 2020 were recorded for the following product groups:

  • Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons (HS code 08) - an increase of $41,619,855;
  • Natural or cultured pearls, precious or semi-precious stones,precious metals, metals clad with precious metal and articles thereof; imitation jewelry; coin (HS code 71) - an increase of $13,862,676;
  • Ores, slag and ash (HS code 26) - an increase of $9,799,211;
  • Vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling stock, and parts and accessories thereof (HS code 87) - an increase of $4,551,411;
  • Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, and parts and accessories of such articles (HS code 85) - an increase of $611,245.

The largest declines in Russia’s imports from South Africa in the 4th quarter of 2021 over the 4th quarter of 2020 were recorded for the following product groups:

  • Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof (HS code 84) - a decrease of $8,974,913;
  • Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other parts of plants (HS code 20) - a decrease of $2,210,434;
  • Beverages, spirits and vinegar (HS code 22) - a decrease of $970,085;
  • Miscellaneous chemical products (HS code 38) - a decrease of $915,978.
Russia’s imports from South Africa in the 4th quarter of 2021 by product groups
HS
code
Name of product group Value of imports in Q4 2021,
US dollars ($)
Percent share in total import Value of imports in Q4 2020,
US dollars ($)
Percent change
in Q4 2021
over Q4 2020
06 Live trees and other plants; bulbs, roots and the like; cut flowers and ornamental foliage 165,389 0.08 134,84622.65
07 Edible vegetables and certain roots and tubers 63,877 0.03 42,34750.84
08 Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons 72,109,948 35.75 30,490,093136.50
09 Coffee, tea, maté and spices 4,858 0.00 4,894-0.74
10 Cereals 72,127 0.04 30,520136.33
12 Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits; miscellaneous grains, seeds and fruits; industrial or medicinal plants; straw and fodder 256,533 0.13 575,149-55.40
15 Animal or vegetable fats and oils and their cleavage products prepared edible fats; animal or vegetable waxes 28,610 0.01 50,889-43.78
18 Cocoa and cocoa preparations 0 0.00 793-100.00
20 Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other parts of plants 2,498,950 1.24 4,709,384-46.94
21 Miscellaneous edible preparations 347,188 0.17 101,938240.59
22 Beverages, spirits and vinegar 6,189,716 3.07 7,159,801-13.55
24 Tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes 62,997 0.03 30,281108.04
25 Salt; sulfur; earths and stone; plastering materials, lime and cement 508,984 0.25 477,7846.53
26 Ores, slag and ash 48,898,101 24.24 39,098,89025.06
27 Mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation; bituminous substances; mineral waxes 65,534 0.03 165,954-60.51
28 Inorganic chemicals; organic or inorganic compounds of precious metals, of rare-earth metals,of radioactive elements or of isotopes 6,651,840 3.30 6,487,0942.54
29 Organic chemicals 1,347,612 0.67 1,623,544-17.00
30 Pharmaceutical products 10,364 0.01 0
32 Tanning or dyeing extracts; dyes, pigments, paints, varnishes, putty and mastics 362,147 0.18 351,0483.16
33 Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery, cosmetic or toilet preparations 145,218 0.07 135,1507.45
34 Soap, organic surface-active agents, washing preparations, lubricating preparations, artificial waxes, prepared waxes, polishing or scouring preparations, candles and similar articles, modeling pastes, "dental waxes" and dental preparations with a basis of plaster 259,471 0.13 412,434-37.09
35 Albuminoidal substances; modified starches; glues; enzymes 422,535 0.21 618,618-31.70
38 Miscellaneous chemical products 1,173,438 0.58 2,089,416-43.84
39 Plastics and articles thereof 252,469 0.13 246,6922.34
40 Rubber and articles thereof 355,739 0.18 678,120-47.54
41 Raw hides and skins (other than furskins) and leather 5,534 0.00 0
42 Articles of leather; saddlery and harness; travel goods, handbags and similar containers; articles of animal gut (other than silkworm gut) 21,233 0.01 135,128-84.29
44 Wood and articles of wood; wood charcoal 2,528 0.00 27,368-90.76
45 Cork and articles of cork 77 0.00 200-61.50
48 Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp, of paper or of paperboard 10,437 0.01 10,2951.38
49 Printed books, newspapers, pictures and other products of the printing industry; manuscripts, typescripts and plans 7,639 0.00 17,192-55.57
51 Wool, fine or coarse animal hair; horsehair yarn and woven fabric 75,833 0.04 9,996658.63
54 Man-made filaments 0 0.00 36,247-100.00
56 Wadding, felt and nonwovens; special yarns, twine, cordage, ropes and cables and articles thereof 95 0.00 0
58 Special woven fabrics; tufted textile fabrics; lace, tapestries; trimmings; embroidery 1,484 0.00 0
59 Impregnated, coated, covered or laminated textile fabrics; textile articles of a kind suitable for industrial use 27,656 0.01 24,74211.78
61 Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted 4,403 0.00 1,640168.48
62 Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted 445 0.00 1,286-65.40
63 Other made up textile articles; sets; worn clothing and worn textile articles; rags 1,274 0.00 157711.46
64 Footwear, gaiters and the like; parts of such articles 94,101 0.05 0
65 Headgear and parts thereof 82 0.00 0
68 Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, mica or similar materials 23,564 0.01 1,2781,743.82
69 Ceramic products 104,681 0.05 222,716-53.00
70 Glass and glassware 15,890 0.01 23,402-32.10
71 Natural or cultured pearls, precious or semi-precious stones,precious metals, metals clad with precious metal and articles thereof; imitation jewelry; coin 13,933,673 6.91 70,99719,525.72
72 Iron and steel 3,823,598 1.90 3,858,807-0.91
73 Articles of iron or steel 509,967 0.25 268,66289.82
74 Copper and articles thereof 1,792 0.00 5,158-65.26
76 Aluminum and articles thereof 138,155 0.07 65,663110.40
78 Lead and articles thereof 30,703 0.02 7043,761.43
81 Other base metals; cermets; articles thereof 391,808 0.19 118,712230.05
82 Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks, of base metal; parts thereof of base metal 270,359 0.13 137,05897.26
83 Miscellaneous articles of base metal 11,470 0.01 2,510356.97
84 Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof 9,886,355 4.90 18,861,268-47.58
85 Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, and parts and accessories of such articles 2,108,536 1.05 1,497,29140.82
86 Railway or tramway locomotives, rolling-stock and parts thereof; railway or tramway track fixtures and fittings and parts thereof; mechanical (including electro-mechanical) traffic signalling equipment of all kinds 211,592 0.10 167,36326.43
87 Vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling stock, and parts and accessories thereof 27,097,246 13.43 22,545,83520.19
89 Ships, boats and floating structures 0 0.00 94,020-100.00
90 Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; parts and accessories thereof 114,615 0.06 102,44611.88
94 Furniture; bedding, mattresses, mattress supports, cushions and similar stuffed furnishings; lamps and lighting fittings, not elsewhere specified or included; illuminated sign illuminated nameplates and the like; prefabricated buildings 6,801 0.00 4,35856.06
95 Toys, games and sports requisites; parts and accessories thereof 4,763 0.00 2,117124.99
96 Miscellaneous manufactured articles 2,405 0.00 9,186-73.82
97 Works of art, collectors’ pieces and antiques 109,267 0.05 0
SS Classified 0 0.00 36 782-100.00
Russian foreign trade statistics
Source: Federal Customs Service of Russia