Forged alloy steel bar imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $2.3 million of forged alloy steel bar in 2024 (1.2 thousand tonnes). That is 32% less than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 12% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2022, at $7.9 million.
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 | $2.3M | 1.2K t |
| 2023 | $3.4M | 1.7K t |
| 2022 | $7.9M | 2.1K t |
| 2021 | $4.2M | 3.1K t |
| 2020 | $3.0M | 2.7K t |
| 2019 | $4.9M | 4.4K t |
| 2018 | $5.3M | 4.2K t |
| 2017 | $5.5M | 1.8K t |
Where South Africa imports forged alloy steel bar from
Most of the value came from China (44%), Germany (26%), Austria (14%). Among the main suppliers, Austria grew fastest (+71% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $1.0M | 44% |
| Germany | $598K | 26% |
| Austria | $315K | 14% |
| Sweden | $262K | 11% |
| Slovenia | $34K | 1.5% |
| Italy | $17K | 0.8% |
| Canada | $13K | 0.6% |
| Turkey | $10K | 0.4% |
| Ireland | $9K | 0.4% |
| Czech Republic | $9K | 0.4% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.91 per kg, 27% below the world average of $2.63, 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.
Forged alloy steel bar exports from South Africa
Exports of forged alloy steel bar by South Africa reached $296 thousand in 2024 (216 tonnes). One buyer market dominates: Namibia accounted for 55% of the value. Among the main buyer markets, Namibia grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | $163K | 55% |
| Zambia | $34K | 12% |
| Eswatini | $32K | 11% |
| DR Congo | $23K | 7.8% |
| Botswana | $15K | 5% |
| Mozambique | $9K | 2.9% |
| Burkina Faso | $8K | 2.7% |
| Mauritius | $6K | 1.8% |
| United Arab Emirates | $3K | 1% |
| Madagascar | $2K | 0.7% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa forged alloy steel bar imports (HS 7228.40): 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 7228.40: Steel, alloy: bars and rods, forged.
Common questions
What is the value of forged alloy steel bar imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported forged alloy steel bar worth $2.3 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 1.2 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 45th of 151 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 32% on 2023.
Which countries supply forged alloy steel bar to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 44% of the value ($1.0 million), followed by Germany (26%) and Austria (14%). The top three together account for 84%, out of 15 supplier countries in total. Slovenia grew fastest among the top ten, up 514% on the year.
What is the average import price of forged alloy steel bar per kg?
The average declared import value was about $1.91 per kg in 2024, 27% below the world average of $2.63 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of forged alloy steel bar to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $5.5 million in 2017 to $2.3 million in 2024, a fall of 58%. The peak was 2022 at $7.9 million. Over 8 years the average was $4.6 million a year.
Does South Africa also export forged alloy steel bar?
Yes. South Africa exported $296 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Namibia, Zambia and Eswatini. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $2.0 million a year.
What is the HS code for forged alloy steel bar?
The HS code for forged alloy steel bar is subheading 7228.40. 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 forged alloy steel bar trade: top importers and exporters
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