Cold-finished alloy steel bar imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported cold-finished alloy steel bar worth $21.2 million (18.9 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Value rose 25% on 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 17% a year on average.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
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Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $21.2M | 18.9K t |
| 2023 | $16.9M | 13.5K t |
| 2022 | $20.7M | 14.2K t |
| 2021 | $16.1M | 12.7K t |
| 2020 | $4.2M | 3.0K t |
| 2019 | $5.4M | 3.0K t |
| 2018 | $6.9M | 4.5K t |
| 2017 | $7.0M | 5.6K t |
Where South Africa imports cold-finished alloy steel bar from
China alone supplied 76% of it. Among the main suppliers, Germany grew fastest (+128% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $16.1M | 76% |
| Austria | $1.5M | 6.9% |
| South Korea | $1.4M | 6.5% |
| Germany | $1.0M | 4.7% |
| India | $709K | 3.4% |
| Taiwan | $218K | 1% |
| Turkey | $185K | 0.9% |
| Slovenia | $41K | 0.2% |
| Netherlands | $34K | 0.2% |
| United States | $21K | 0.1% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.12 per kg, 51% below the world average of $2.27, 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.
Cold-finished alloy steel bar exports from South Africa
Exports of cold-finished alloy steel bar by South Africa reached $472 thousand in 2024 (593 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Namibia (37%), Botswana (20%), Seychelles (17%). Among the main buyer markets, Eswatini grew fastest (+257% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | $173K | 37% |
| Botswana | $96K | 20% |
| Seychelles | $78K | 17% |
| Zambia | $38K | 8% |
| Ghana | $27K | 5.7% |
| Eswatini | $19K | 4% |
| Eritrea | $11K | 2.2% |
| Lesotho | $9K | 1.9% |
| DR Congo | $7K | 1.4% |
| Zimbabwe | $5K | 1% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa cold-finished alloy steel bar imports (HS 7228.50): 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 7228.50: Steel, alloy: bars and rods, cold-formed or cold-finished.
Common questions
What is the value of cold-finished alloy steel bar imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported cold-finished alloy steel bar worth $21.2 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 18.9 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 25th of 173 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 25% on 2023.
Which countries supply cold-finished alloy steel bar to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 76% of the value ($16.1 million), followed by Austria (7%) and South Korea (6%). The top three together account for 89%, out of 21 supplier countries in total. India grew fastest among the top ten, up 340% on the year.
What is the average import price of cold-finished alloy steel bar per kg?
The average declared import value was about $1.12 per kg in 2024, 51% below the world average of $2.27 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of cold-finished alloy steel bar to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $7.0 million in 2017 to $21.2 million in 2024, an increase of 205%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Over 8 years the average was $12.3 million a year.
Does South Africa also export cold-finished alloy steel bar?
Yes. South Africa exported $472 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Namibia, Botswana and the Seychelles. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $20.7 million a year.
What is the HS code for cold-finished alloy steel bar?
The HS code for cold-finished alloy steel bar is subheading 7228.50. It sits in HS chapter 72 (iron and steel). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 7228 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.
Same product, other countries
World cold-finished alloy steel bar trade: top importers and exporters
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