Forged and hot-rolled steel bars exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
South Africa exported $171.5 million of forged and hot-rolled steel bars in 2024 (230.8 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. The value was almost unchanged from 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 12% 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 | $171.5M | 230.8K t |
| 2023 | $167.1M | 219.8K t |
| 2022 | $147.7M | 165.6K t |
| 2021 | $131.6M | 150.7K t |
| 2020 | $81.0M | 131.5K t |
| 2019 | $144.2M | 228.0K t |
| 2018 | $126.2M | 183.4K t |
| 2017 | $79.3M | 131.3K t |
Where South Africa exports forged and hot-rolled steel bars to
The largest buyer markets were Mozambique (39%), Zimbabwe (15%), Tanzania (14%). Among the main buyer markets, Lesotho grew fastest (+217% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Mozambique | $66.4M | 39% |
| Zimbabwe | $26.2M | 15% |
| Tanzania | $24.3M | 14% |
| Botswana | $12.8M | 7.4% |
| Malawi | $7.1M | 4.2% |
| Lesotho | $6.4M | 3.7% |
| Zambia | $6.1M | 3.5% |
| Namibia | $4.6M | 2.7% |
| Eswatini | $3.5M | 2% |
| Australia | $3.3M | 1.9% |
Product types under HS 7214
| 7214.20 | Iron or non-alloy steel: bars and rods, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or hot-extruded, containing indentations, ribs, grooves or other deformations produced… | 89% |
| 7214.99 | Iron or non-alloy steel: bars and rods, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or hot-extruded, n.e.c. in heading no. 7214, other than of rectangular cross-section | 6.8% |
| 7214.91 | Iron or non-alloy steel: bars and rods, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or hot-extruded, n.e.c. in heading no. 7214, of rectangular (other than square)… | 2.3% |
| 7214.10 | Iron or non-alloy steel: bars and rods, forged, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or hot-extruded, but including those twisted after rolling | 1.8% |
| 7214.30 | Iron or non-alloy steel: bars and rods, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or hot-extruded, including those twisted after rolling, of free-cutting steel | 0.3% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 7214.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.74 per kg, close to the world average of $0.67.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Forged and hot-rolled steel bars imports to South Africa
Imports of forged and hot-rolled steel bars by South Africa reached $23.8 million in 2024 (87.1 thousand tonnes). One supplier dominates: China accounted for 59% of the value. Among the main suppliers, Italy grew fastest (+112% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $14.0M | 59% |
| Italy | $6.6M | 28% |
| India | $1.3M | 5.3% |
| Germany | $505K | 2.1% |
| Turkey | $374K | 1.6% |
| Botswana | $286K | 1.2% |
| Mauritius | $189K | 0.8% |
| United States | $169K | 0.7% |
| Zambia | $120K | 0.5% |
| Japan | $92K | 0.4% |
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 7214: Iron or non-alloy steel; bars and rods, not further worked than forged, hot-rolled, hot drawn or hot-extruded, but including those twisted after rolling.
Common questions
What is the value of forged and hot-rolled steel bars exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported forged and hot-rolled steel bars worth $171.5 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 230.8 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 25th of 149 countries worldwide, with 1% of world exports. The value was up 3% on 2023.
Which countries buy forged and hot-rolled steel bars from South Africa?
Mozambique was the largest buyer with 39% of the value ($66.4 million), followed by Zimbabwe (15%) and Tanzania (14%). The top three together account for 68%, out of 39 buyer countries in total. Lesotho grew fastest among the top ten, up 217% on the year.
What is the average export price of forged and hot-rolled steel bars per kg?
The average declared export value was about $0.74 per kg in 2024, 10% above the world average of $0.67 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 forged and hot-rolled steel bars from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $79.3 million in 2017 to $171.5 million in 2024, an increase of 116%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import forged and hot-rolled steel bars?
Yes. South Africa imported $23.8 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from China, Italy and India. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $147.8 million a year.
What is the HS code for forged and hot-rolled steel bars?
The HS code for forged and hot-rolled steel bars is heading 7214. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 7214.20 (89% of the value) and 7214.99 (7%). It sits in HS chapter 72 (iron and steel). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 7214 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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