Free-cutting hot-rolled bar exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
Exports of free-cutting hot-rolled bar by South Africa reached $5.2 million in 2024 (8.4 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. That is 65% less than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 12% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2022, at $15.1 million.
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 | $5.2M | 8.4K t |
| 2023 | $14.9M | 18.0K t |
| 2022 | $15.1M | 22.0K t |
| 2021 | $8.4M | 11.8K t |
| 2020 | $2.9M | 5.1K t |
| 2019 | $6.0M | 5.8K t |
| 2018 | $3.0M | 3.1K t |
| 2017 | $2.3M | 2.5K t |
Where South Africa exports free-cutting hot-rolled bar to
Mauritius alone took 56% of it. Among the main buyer markets, Australia grew fastest (+59% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Mauritius | $2.9M | 56% |
| France | $1.4M | 27% |
| Zimbabwe | $339K | 6.5% |
| Australia | $204K | 3.9% |
| Madagascar | $140K | 2.7% |
| India | $108K | 2.1% |
| Namibia | $42K | 0.8% |
| Lesotho | $7K | 0.1% |
| Botswana | $4K | 0.1% |
| Eswatini | $1K | 0% |
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.62 per kg, 25% below the world average of $0.83, 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.
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa free-cutting hot-rolled bar exports (HS 7213.20): 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 7213.20: Iron or non-alloy steel: bars and rods, hot-rolled, in irregularly wound coils, of free-cutting steel.
Common questions
What is the value of free-cutting hot-rolled bar exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported free-cutting hot-rolled bar worth $5.2 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 8.4 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 20th of 75 countries worldwide, with 1% of world exports. The value was down 65% on 2023.
Which countries buy free-cutting hot-rolled bar from South Africa?
Mauritius was the largest buyer with 56% of the value ($2.9 million), followed by France (27%) and Zimbabwe (6%). The top three together account for 90%, out of 11 buyer countries in total. Lesotho grew fastest among the top ten, up 67% on the year.
What is the average export price of free-cutting hot-rolled bar per kg?
The average declared export value was about $0.62 per kg in 2024, 25% below the world average of $0.83 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have exports of free-cutting hot-rolled bar from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $2.3 million in 2017 to $5.2 million in 2024, an increase of 123%. The peak was 2022 at $15.1 million. Over 8 years the average was $7.2 million a year.
What is the HS code for free-cutting hot-rolled bar?
The HS code for free-cutting hot-rolled bar is subheading 7213.20. It sits in HS chapter 72 (iron and steel). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 7213 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.
Same product, other countries
World free-cutting hot-rolled bar trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for South Africa
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