Ferro-alloys exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
In 2024, South Africa exported ferro-alloys worth $5.00 billion (4.56 million tonnes). That makes it the 2nd largest exporter of this product worldwide, out of 127 countries. Value fell 10% from 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable.
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 | $5.00B | 4.56M t |
| 2023 | $5.52B | 4.87M t |
| 2022 | $5.96B | 4.54M t |
| 2021 | $5.31B | 4.71M t |
| 2020 | $2.90B | 3.83M t |
| 2019 | $3.45B | 4.25M t |
| 2018 | $4.11B | 4.38M t |
| 2017 | $4.06B | 4.18M t |
Where South Africa exports ferro-alloys to
Most of it went to China (28%), Mozambique (23%), Indonesia (15%). Among the main buyer markets, Netherlands grew fastest (+311% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $1.42B | 28% |
| Mozambique | $1.15B | 23% |
| Indonesia | $736.6M | 15% |
| United States | $341.0M | 6.8% |
| Netherlands | $262.3M | 5.3% |
| Japan | $185.7M | 3.7% |
| Belgium | $166.2M | 3.3% |
| South Korea | $161.3M | 3.2% |
| Italy | $117.7M | 2.4% |
| India | $84.8M | 1.7% |
Product types under HS 7202
| 7202.41 | Ferro-alloys: ferro-chromium, containing by weight more than 4% of carbon | 90% |
| 7202.19 | Ferro-alloys: ferro-manganese, containing by weight 2% or less of carbon | 2.5% |
| 7202.30 | Ferro-alloys: ferro-silico-manganese | 2% |
| 7202.92 | Ferro-alloys: ferro-vanadium | 1.3% |
| 7202.11 | Ferro-alloys: ferro-manganese, containing by weight more than 2% of carbon | 1% |
| 7202.49 | Ferro-alloys: ferro-chromium, containing by weight 4% or less of carbon | 0.8% |
| 7202.29 | Ferro-alloys: ferro-silicon, containing by weight 55% or less of silicon | 0.7% |
| 7202.99 | Ferro-alloys: n.e.c. in heading no. 7202 | 0.7% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 7202.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.10 per kg, 34% below the world average of $1.66, 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.
Ferro-alloys imports to South Africa
Imports of ferro-alloys by South Africa reached $122.5 million in 2024 (50.7 thousand tonnes). The largest suppliers were Brazil (29%), Zambia (16%), China (9%). Among the main suppliers, New Caledonia grew fastest (+116% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Brazil | $35.2M | 29% |
| Zambia | $20.1M | 16% |
| China | $11.0M | 9% |
| New Caledonia | $8.8M | 7.2% |
| India | $8.1M | 6.6% |
| Canada | $7.5M | 6.1% |
| South Korea | $5.5M | 4.5% |
| Netherlands | $3.5M | 2.8% |
| Zimbabwe | $2.9M | 2.3% |
| Germany | $2.6M | 2.1% |
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 7202: Ferro-alloys.
Common questions
What is the value of ferro-alloys exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported ferro-alloys worth $5.00 billion in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 4.56 million tonnes. That ranks it 2nd of 127 countries worldwide, with 11% of world exports. The value was down 10% on 2023.
Which countries buy ferro-alloys from South Africa?
China was the largest buyer with 28% of the value ($1.42 billion), followed by Mozambique (23%) and Indonesia (15%). The top three together account for 66%, out of 74 buyer countries in total. The Netherlands grew fastest among the top ten, up 311% on the year.
What is the average export price of ferro-alloys per kg?
The average declared export value was about $1.10 per kg in 2024, 34% below the world average of $1.66 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 exports of ferro-alloys from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $4.06 billion in 2017 to $5.00 billion in 2024, an increase of 23%. The peak was 2022 at $5.96 billion. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import ferro-alloys?
Yes. South Africa imported $122.5 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Brazil, Zambia and China. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $4.87 billion a year.
What is the HS code for ferro-alloys?
The HS code for ferro-alloys is heading 7202. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 7202.41 (90% of the value) and 7202.19 (2%). It sits in HS chapter 72 (iron and steel). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 7202 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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