Alloy steel wire imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported alloy steel wire worth $21.7 million (23.3 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Value rose 12% on 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 10% a year on average.
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 | $21.7M | 23.3K t |
| 2023 | $19.4M | 18.4K t |
| 2022 | $21.0M | 14.8K t |
| 2021 | $25.1M | 20.5K t |
| 2020 | $12.2M | 13.0K t |
| 2019 | $16.9M | 16.1K t |
| 2018 | $15.7M | 13.1K t |
| 2017 | $11.3M | 10.8K t |
Where South Africa imports alloy steel wire from
One supplier dominates: China accounted for 78% of the value. Among the main suppliers, South Korea grew fastest (+277% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $17.0M | 78% |
| South Korea | $1.7M | 7.6% |
| Czech Republic | $752K | 3.5% |
| Italy | $557K | 2.6% |
| Vietnam | $483K | 2.2% |
| India | $282K | 1.3% |
| Germany | $139K | 0.6% |
| Taiwan | $139K | 0.6% |
| Malaysia | $135K | 0.6% |
| Turkey | $115K | 0.5% |
Product types under HS 7229
| 7229.20 | Steel, alloy: wire, of silico-manganese steel | 65% |
| 7229.90 | Steel, alloy: wire, of materials other than silico-manganese steel | 35% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 7229.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.93 per kg, 43% below the world average of $1.62, 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 steel wire exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $1.4 million of alloy steel wire in 2024 (793 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Zambia (27%), Botswana (20%), Namibia (14%). Among the main buyer markets, Uganda grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zambia | $377K | 27% |
| Botswana | $279K | 20% |
| Namibia | $188K | 14% |
| Kenya | $141K | 10% |
| Eswatini | $134K | 9.7% |
| Zimbabwe | $75K | 5.4% |
| DR Congo | $56K | 4% |
| Mozambique | $46K | 3.3% |
| Lesotho | $36K | 2.6% |
| Uganda | $21K | 1.5% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
Public statistics stop at country totals and the last published year. EximDataX shows the shipment records underneath: the companies, dates, quantities and declared values, updated weekly.
Shipment records are in the platform
Tell us what you trade and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
Mirror data: built from the shipment records of the countries that trade with it.
Updated weekly on EximDataX (some markets daily), while public statistics stop at 2024.
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 7229: Wire of other alloy steel.
Common questions
What is the value of alloy steel wire imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported alloy steel wire worth $21.7 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 23.3 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 30th of 196 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 12% on 2023.
Which countries supply alloy steel wire to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 78% of the value ($17.0 million), followed by South Korea (8%) and the Czech Republic (3%). The top three together account for 89%, out of 35 supplier countries in total. South Korea grew fastest among the top ten, up 277% on the year.
What is the average import price of alloy steel wire per kg?
The average declared import value was about $0.93 per kg in 2024, 43% below the world average of $1.62 per kg. It is total declared value divided by total weight, so it blends every grade and size; use it as a benchmark, not a quote. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
How have imports of alloy steel wire to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $11.3 million in 2017 to $21.7 million in 2024, an increase of 93%. The peak was 2021 at $25.1 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export alloy steel wire?
Yes. South Africa exported $1.4 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Zambia, Botswana and Namibia. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $20.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for alloy steel wire?
The HS code for alloy steel wire is heading 7229. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 7229.20 (65% of the value) and 7229.90 (35%). It sits in HS chapter 72 (iron and steel). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 7229 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
Public statistics stop at country totals. EximDataX rebuilds South Africa trade from the customs records of its trading partners, updated weekly, so you can see the companies that ship to and from it. Tell us your product and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
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