Cored wire for arc welding imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of cored wire for arc welding by South Africa reached $6.3 million in 2024 (2.9 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. That is 4% more than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable.
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 | $6.3M | 2.9K t |
| 2023 | $6.1M | 2.4K t |
| 2022 | $5.5M | 1.7K t |
| 2021 | $7.7M | 3.1K t |
| 2020 | $5.5M | 2.5K t |
| 2019 | $4.5M | 1.6K t |
| 2018 | $5.5M | 2.0K t |
| 2017 | $6.8M | 3.7K t |
Where South Africa imports cored wire for arc welding from
The largest suppliers were China (43%), Vietnam (9%), South Korea (9%). Among the main suppliers, Italy grew fastest (+670% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $2.7M | 43% |
| Vietnam | $590K | 9.4% |
| South Korea | $545K | 8.7% |
| Poland | $526K | 8.4% |
| United States | $519K | 8.3% |
| Italy | $307K | 4.9% |
| Taiwan | $290K | 4.6% |
| France | $138K | 2.2% |
| Belgium | $126K | 2% |
| United Kingdom | $118K | 1.9% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $2.19 per kg, 23% below the world average of $2.86, 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.
Cored wire for arc welding exports from South Africa
Exports of cored wire for arc welding by South Africa reached $886 thousand in 2024 (267 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Angola (23%), Zimbabwe (21%), Zambia (14%). Among the main buyer markets, Angola grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Angola | $202K | 23% |
| Zimbabwe | $190K | 21% |
| Zambia | $124K | 14% |
| Nigeria | $62K | 7% |
| Namibia | $54K | 6.1% |
| Botswana | $48K | 5.4% |
| Sweden | $44K | 5% |
| Mozambique | $38K | 4.3% |
| DR Congo | $28K | 3.2% |
| Morocco | $27K | 3.1% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa cored wire for arc welding imports (HS 8311.20): 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 8311.20: Wire: cored, of base metal, for electric arc-welding.
Common questions
What is the value of cored wire for arc welding imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported cored wire for arc welding worth $6.3 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 2.9 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 42nd of 208 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 4% on 2023.
Which countries supply cored wire for arc welding to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 43% of the value ($2.7 million), followed by Vietnam (9%) and South Korea (9%). The top three together account for 61%, out of 31 supplier countries in total. Italy grew fastest among the top ten, up 670% on the year.
What is the average import price of cored wire for arc welding per kg?
The average declared import value was about $2.19 per kg in 2024, 23% below the world average of $2.86 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of cored wire for arc welding to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $6.8 million in 2017 to $6.3 million in 2024, a fall of 8%. The peak was 2021 at $7.7 million. Over 8 years the average was $6.0 million a year.
Does South Africa also export cored wire for arc welding?
Yes. South Africa exported $886 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Angola, Zimbabwe and Zambia. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $5.4 million a year.
What is the HS code for cored wire for arc welding?
The HS code for cored wire for arc welding is subheading 8311.20. It sits in HS chapter 83 (metal; miscellaneous products of base metal). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 8311 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 cored wire for arc welding trade: top importers and exporters
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