Alloy pig iron exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
Exports of alloy pig iron by South Africa reached $4.8 million in 2024 (9.8 thousand tonnes). It ranks 5th of 60 countries for exports of this product. That is 18% less than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 22% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2022, at $12.5 million.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Exports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $4.8M | 9.8K t |
| 2023 | $5.9M | 13.8K t |
| 2022 | $12.5M | 36.2K t |
| 2021 | $10.6M | 35.0K t |
| 2020 | $4.6M | 14.5K t |
| 2019 | $4.7M | 15.6K t |
| 2018 | $3.3M | 9.0K t |
| 2017 | $1.2M | 2.7K t |
Where South Africa exports alloy pig iron to
Most of it went to Poland (37%), Mozambique (34%), India (17%). Among the main buyer markets, Thailand grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Poland | $1.8M | 37% |
| Mozambique | $1.6M | 34% |
| India | $798K | 17% |
| Thailand | $494K | 10% |
| Indonesia | $32K | 0.7% |
| Ghana | $22K | 0.5% |
| Namibia | $14K | 0.3% |
| Latvia | $5K | 0.1% |
| Hungary | $3K | 0.1% |
| Botswana | $0K | 0% |
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.49 per kg, 41% below the world average of $0.83, which often means bulk or lower-grade product.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Alloy pig iron imports to South Africa
Imports of alloy pig iron by South Africa reached $464 thousand in 2024 (8 tonnes). One supplier dominates: Australia accounted for 100% of the value. Among the main suppliers, Australia grew fastest (+166% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | $462K | 100% |
| Germany | $1K | 0.3% |
| China | $1K | 0.2% |
| Netherlands | $0K | 0.1% |
| Canada | $0K | 0% |
| Thailand | $0K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa alloy pig iron exports (HS 7201.50): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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Mirror data: built from the shipment records of the countries that trade with it.
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 7201.50: Iron: alloy pig iron, spiegeleisen, in pigs, blocks or other primary forms.
Common questions
What is the value of alloy pig iron exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported alloy pig iron worth $4.8 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 9.8 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 5th of 60 countries worldwide, with 1% of world exports. The value was down 18% on 2023.
Which countries buy alloy pig iron from South Africa?
Poland was the largest buyer with 37% of the value ($1.8 million), followed by Mozambique (34%) and India (17%). The top three together account for 88%, out of 10 buyer countries in total. Mozambique grew fastest among the top ten, up 49% on the year.
What is the average export price of alloy pig iron per kg?
The average declared export value was about $0.49 per kg in 2024, 41% below the world average of $0.83 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have exports of alloy pig iron from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $1.2 million in 2017 to $4.8 million in 2024, an increase of 299%. The peak was 2022 at $12.5 million. Over 8 years the average was $6.0 million a year.
Does South Africa also import alloy pig iron?
Yes. South Africa imported $464 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Australia, Germany and China. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $4.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for alloy pig iron?
The HS code for alloy pig iron is subheading 7201.50. It sits in HS chapter 72 (iron and steel). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 7201 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
The totals here are public statistics; EximDataX adds the company names by reading partner countries' customs records for South Africa. Tell us your product to see it live.
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