By 
by Ncaba Ntshakala
The total trade between the United Kingdom (UK) and Eswatini skyrocketed by 300% to £24 million (approximately R576 million) in the year ending Q4 2024. This dramatic increase is largely attributed to a near twenty-fold jump in Eswatini’s exports to the UK, cementing its growing role in niche global value chains.
This is according to the factsheet provided by the UK Department for Business and Trade. The factsheet highlights the latest statistics on trade and investment between UK and its trading partners.
UK imports from Eswatini surged from just £1 million to £20 million (roughly E480 million), marking a 1,900% increase in just twelve months. Meanwhile, UK exports to the southern African kingdom dropped 20% to £4 million (E96 million), resulting in a trade deficit of E384 million for the UK in bilateral trade.
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The transformation in trade dynamics was hailed as it positions Eswatini as the UK’s 166th largest import source an impressive feat for a country with under 1.2 million people and GDP per capita of only $4,600. Though it still accounts for less than 0.1% of UK trade, the factsheet applauded Eswatini and stated that the jump is statistically significant.
Eswatini’s Sugar Sweetens UK Import Numbers
Eswatini’s main export driving the boom is sugar. Of the total goods imported by the UK from Eswatini in 2024, sugar alone accounted for £20 million (E480 million). Other traditional exports such as fruits and clothing saw sharp declines, with vegetable and fruit exports falling by over 80% and clothing by nearly 60%.
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While sugar has dominated the import ledger, there was a modest increase in capital goods such as scientific instruments, which rose by 33.3% to £120,000 (E2.88 million). The growing diversification into specialised exports suggests opportunities in agro-processing and light manufacturing.
UK businesses importing sugar and other agricultural commodities from Eswatini may benefit from preferential trade access under existing trade agreements, but the scale of the increase has raised eyebrows in Whitehall and in SADC markets.
