Expanded metal exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
South Africa exported $3.7 million of expanded metal in 2024 (2.3 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. That is 16% more than in 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 .
Exports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $3.7M | 2.3K t |
| 2023 | $3.2M | 1.9K t |
| 2022 | $3.9M | 1.9K t |
| 2021 | $3.0M | 1.6K t |
| 2020 | $2.3M | 1.8K t |
| 2019 | $2.7M | 1.7K t |
| 2018 | $2.4M | 1.3K t |
| 2017 | $1.9M | 1.3K t |
Where South Africa exports expanded metal to
Most of it went to Zimbabwe (24%), Botswana (20%), Zambia (16%). Among the main buyer markets, Guinea grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zimbabwe | $878K | 24% |
| Botswana | $728K | 20% |
| Zambia | $593K | 16% |
| Namibia | $374K | 10% |
| Mozambique | $233K | 6.3% |
| Malawi | $197K | 5.4% |
| Lesotho | $197K | 5.3% |
| Eswatini | $140K | 3.8% |
| Guinea | $139K | 3.8% |
| DR Congo | $79K | 2.1% |
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.61 per kg, close to the world average of $1.93.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Expanded metal imports to South Africa
South Africa imported $1.2 million of expanded metal in 2024 (403 tonnes). China alone supplied 69% of it. Among the main suppliers, United Kingdom grew fastest (+124% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $839K | 69% |
| United Kingdom | $269K | 22% |
| Morocco | $47K | 3.8% |
| Italy | $16K | 1.3% |
| Sweden | $12K | 1% |
| Ireland | $12K | 1% |
| Austria | $5K | 0.4% |
| Denmark | $5K | 0.4% |
| Switzerland | $2K | 0.2% |
| United States | $2K | 0.1% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa expanded metal exports (HS 7314.50): 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 7314.50: Iron or steel: expanded metal.
Common questions
What is the value of expanded metal exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported expanded metal worth $3.7 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 2.3 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 18th of 116 countries worldwide, with 1% of world exports. The value was up 16% on 2023.
Which countries buy expanded metal from South Africa?
Zimbabwe was the largest buyer with 24% of the value ($878 thousand), followed by Botswana (20%) and Zambia (16%). The top three together account for 60%, out of 27 buyer countries in total. Lesotho grew fastest among the top ten, up 224% on the year.
What is the average export price of expanded metal per kg?
The average declared export value was about $1.61 per kg in 2024, 17% below the world average of $1.93 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have exports of expanded metal from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $1.9 million in 2017 to $3.7 million in 2024, an increase of 99%. The peak was 2022 at $3.9 million. Over 8 years the average was $2.9 million a year.
Does South Africa also import expanded metal?
Yes. South Africa imported $1.2 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from China, the United Kingdom and Morocco. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $2.5 million a year.
What is the HS code for expanded metal?
The HS code for expanded metal is subheading 7314.50. It sits in HS chapter 73 (iron or steel articles). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 7314 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
For South Africa, EximDataX reads the shipment records of the countries that trade with it and shows the companies on both sides. We can walk you through your product on a short call.
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