How much platinum does South Africa produce and export?
South Africa is the largest producer of platinum: 120 tonnes in 2025, 71% of the world's 170 tonnes (USGS MCS). It is the largest exporter by value: $5.3 billion in 2024, 36% of world exports of unwrought platinum (HS 711011) (CEPII BACI). Its biggest customer is China, which takes 40% of its platinum exports by value.
All about platinum · All about South Africa · Platinum price history
South Africa's platinum production
| World rank | Production (tonnes) | Share of world | Ten-year growth | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 120 tonnes | 71% | — | 2025 |
USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries, MCS 2026.
South Africa's platinum exports
| World rank | Export value | Share of world exports | Quantity (tonnes) | Average value per tonne | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5.3 billion | 36% | 155 t | $34,042,581 | 2024 |
CEPII BACI international trade database (HS22, V202601), HS 711011 (Platinum, unwrought or in powder form).
Where South Africa's platinum goes
| Destination | Value | Share of South Africa's exports |
|---|---|---|
| China | $2.1B | 40% |
| Japan | $1.2B | 23% |
| United States | $649M | 12% |
| United Kingdom | $473M | 9% |
| Germany | $252M | 4.8% |
The platinum price South Africa sells into
The benchmark price, London afternoon fix, was $1,784/troy oz in September 2026, up 24% over twelve months. Its five-year volatility is 26% a year, calmer in 84% of its earlier five-year windows. A single country's export price can differ from the benchmark: see trade price against benchmark. Monthly averages lag the market and are not investment advice. Platinum price history.
Cite as: Commodity Origins, "South Africa platinum: production, exports and prices", https://commodityorigins.com/countries/ZAF/platinum/ (CC BY 4.0). Rankings count only countries reporting to the sources named; this page is shown only for top-five producers or exporters with at least 3% of the world total. Report an issue with this page.