Hot-rolled steel bars imports in Kenya: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, Kenya imported hot-rolled steel bars worth $31.2 million (52.0 thousand tonnes). That is 19% less than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2020, at $123.6 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 | $31.2M | 52.0K t |
| 2023 | $38.5M | 61.7K t |
| 2022 | $70.2M | 96.2K t |
| 2021 | $116.7M | 174.0K t |
| 2020 | $123.6M | 245.7K t |
| 2019 | $70.4M | 143.7K t |
| 2018 | $47.4M | 84.8K t |
| 2017 | $31.7M | 64.1K t |
Where Kenya imports hot-rolled steel bars from
China alone supplied 53% of it. Among the main suppliers, South Africa grew fastest (+70% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $16.6M | 53% |
| South Africa | $11.4M | 36% |
| Egypt | $3.2M | 10% |
| Uganda | $71K | 0.2% |
| South Korea | $6K | 0% |
| India | $1K | 0% |
| Germany | $1K | 0% |
| Italy | $0K | 0% |
| Spain | $0K | 0% |
| France | $0K | 0% |
Product types under HS 7213
| 7213.91 | Small diameter hot-rolled bar | 94% |
| 7213.99 | Large diameter hot-rolled bar | 5.9% |
| 7213.10 | Deformed hot-rolled bar | 0.3% |
| 7213.20 | Free-cutting hot-rolled bar | 0% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 7213.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.60 per kg, close to the world average of $0.66.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Hot-rolled steel bars exports from Kenya
Exports of hot-rolled steel bars by Kenya reached $221 thousand in 2024 (264 tonnes). One buyer market dominates: Tanzania accounted for 96% of the value.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Tanzania | $213K | 97% |
| Rwanda | $7K | 3.2% |
| Italy | $0K | 0.2% |
| Republic of the Congo | $0K | 0.1% |
| South Sudan | $0K | 0.1% |
| United States | $0K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in Kenya?
The shipment records behind Kenya hot-rolled steel bars imports (HS 7213): 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.
Direct customs feed: shipment-level records from the official customs source.
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 7213: Iron or non-alloy steel; bars and rods, hot-rolled, in irregularly wound coils.
Common questions
What is the value of hot-rolled steel bars imported by Kenya?
Kenya imported hot-rolled steel bars worth $31.2 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 52.0 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 74th of 210 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 19% on 2023.
Which countries supply hot-rolled steel bars to Kenya?
China was the largest supplier with 53% of the value ($16.6 million), followed by South Africa (36%) and Egypt (10%). The top three together account for 100%, out of 13 supplier countries in total. South Africa grew fastest among the top ten, up 70% on the year.
What is the average import price of hot-rolled steel bars per kg?
The average declared import value was about $0.60 per kg in 2024, 9% below the world average of $0.66 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of hot-rolled steel bars to Kenya changed since 2017?
Imports went from $31.7 million in 2017 to $31.2 million in 2024, a fall of 1%. The peak was 2020 at $123.6 million. Over 8 years the average was $66.2 million a year.
Does Kenya also export hot-rolled steel bars?
Yes. Kenya exported $221 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Tanzania, Rwanda and Italy. On balance Kenya is a net importer of this product, by about $31.0 million a year.
What is the HS code for hot-rolled steel bars?
The HS code for hot-rolled steel bars is heading 7213. In Kenya the largest six-digit codes were 7213.91 (94% of the value) and 7213.99 (6%).
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
EximDataX has a direct customs feed for Kenya, so the importers and exporters behind these totals are visible by name, shipment by shipment. Ask for a live look at your product.
Same product, other countries
World hot-rolled steel bars trade: top importers and exporters
See what your buyers are buying.Then decide.
Everything we show you comes from official customs filings — records, not claims. 30 minutes. Your shipment. Your HS code. Real platform. If you don’t see something new about your market by the end of the call, we walk away. No follow-ups.