High carbon ferro-chromium imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $4.3 million of high carbon ferro-chromium in 2024 (2.9 thousand tonnes). That is 8% more than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2018, at $36.0 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 | $4.3M | 2.9K t |
| 2023 | $4.0M | 2.6K t |
| 2022 | $7.2M | 4.8K t |
| 2021 | $13.3M | 5.8K t |
| 2020 | $4.7M | 3.2K t |
| 2019 | $20.6M | 12.4K t |
| 2018 | $36.0M | 31.5K t |
| 2017 | $4.2M | 3.9K t |
Where South Africa imports high carbon ferro-chromium from
Zimbabwe alone supplied 56% of it. Among the main suppliers, China grew fastest (+957% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zimbabwe | $2.4M | 56% |
| China | $1.1M | 25% |
| Sweden | $701K | 16% |
| Kazakhstan | $63K | 1.5% |
| India | $63K | 1.5% |
| United States | $2K | 0% |
| Mozambique | $1K | 0% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.51 per kg, 30% above the world average of $1.16. This usually points to higher-grade or processed goods.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
High carbon ferro-chromium exports from South Africa
Exports of high carbon ferro-chromium by South Africa reached $4.52 billion in 2024 (4.29 million tonnes). That makes it the largest exporter of this product worldwide, out of 65 countries. The largest buyer markets were China (31%), Mozambique (25%), Indonesia (16%). Among the main buyer markets, Netherlands grew fastest (+261% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $1.38B | 31% |
| Mozambique | $1.15B | 25% |
| Indonesia | $736.6M | 16% |
| United States | $210.0M | 4.7% |
| Netherlands | $195.6M | 4.3% |
| Japan | $179.7M | 4% |
| Belgium | $165.5M | 3.7% |
| South Korea | $160.5M | 3.6% |
| Italy | $110.8M | 2.5% |
| Spain | $56.4M | 1.3% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa high carbon ferro-chromium imports (HS 7202.41): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
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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 7202.41: Ferro-alloys: ferro-chromium, containing by weight more than 4% of carbon.
Common questions
What is the value of high carbon ferro-chromium imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported high carbon ferro-chromium worth $4.3 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 2.9 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 37th of 107 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 8% on 2023.
Which countries supply high carbon ferro-chromium to South Africa?
Zimbabwe was the largest supplier with 56% of the value ($2.4 million), followed by China (25%) and Sweden (16%). The top three together account for 97%, out of 7 supplier countries in total. China grew fastest among the top ten, up 957% on the year.
What is the average import price of high carbon ferro-chromium per kg?
The average declared import value was about $1.51 per kg in 2024, 30% above the world average of $1.16 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of high carbon ferro-chromium to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $4.2 million in 2017 to $4.3 million in 2024, an increase of 2%. The peak was 2018 at $36.0 million. Over 8 years the average was $11.8 million a year.
Does South Africa also export high carbon ferro-chromium?
Yes. South Africa exported $4.52 billion worth of this product in 2024, mainly to China, Mozambique and Indonesia. That compares with imports of $4.3 million in the same year.
What is the HS code for high carbon ferro-chromium?
The HS code for high carbon ferro-chromium is subheading 7202.41. 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?
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 high carbon ferro-chromium trade: top importers and exporters
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