High carbon steel bloom exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
In 2024, South Africa exported high carbon steel bloom worth $14.7 million (12.8 thousand tonnes). Value fell 24% from 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 28% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2022, at $23.2 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 | $14.7M | 12.8K t |
| 2023 | $19.5M | 36.9K t |
| 2022 | $23.2M | 8.6K t |
| 2021 | $20.7M | 30.3K t |
| 2020 | $18.2M | 47.2K t |
| 2019 | $10.9M | 25.4K t |
| 2018 | $13.6M | 27.0K t |
| 2017 | $2.6M | 5.3K t |
Where South Africa exports high carbon steel bloom to
One buyer market dominates: Taiwan accounted for 90% of the value.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Taiwan | $13.3M | 90% |
| Tanzania | $590K | 4% |
| China | $398K | 2.7% |
| Guatemala | $161K | 1.1% |
| United Arab Emirates | $146K | 1% |
| Germany | $98K | 0.7% |
| Malawi | $6K | 0% |
| Zimbabwe | $4K | 0% |
| Zambia | $3K | 0% |
| Lesotho | $1K | 0% |
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.15 per kg, 83% above the world average of $0.63. 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 steel bloom imports to South Africa
South Africa imported $1.5 million of high carbon steel bloom in 2024 (88.3 thousand tonnes). The largest suppliers were Spain (41%), Italy (34%), China (11%). Among the main suppliers, Italy grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Spain | $614K | 42% |
| Italy | $504K | 34% |
| China | $163K | 11% |
| United Kingdom | $77K | 5.2% |
| Ukraine | $74K | 5% |
| Germany | $32K | 2.2% |
| France | $7K | 0.5% |
| Singapore | $7K | 0.5% |
| Turkey | $1K | 0% |
| United States | $0K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa high carbon steel bloom exports (HS 7207.20): 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 7207.20: Iron or non-alloy steel: semi-finished products of iron or non-alloy steel, containing by weight 0.25% or more of carbon.
Common questions
What is the value of high carbon steel bloom exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported high carbon steel bloom worth $14.7 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 12.8 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 32nd of 93 countries worldwide, with 0% of world exports. The value was down 24% on 2023.
Which countries buy high carbon steel bloom from South Africa?
Taiwan was the largest buyer with 90% of the value ($13.3 million), followed by Tanzania (4%) and China (3%). The top three together account for 97%, out of 14 buyer countries in total. China grew fastest among the top ten, up 407% on the year.
What is the average export price of high carbon steel bloom per kg?
The average declared export value was about $1.15 per kg in 2024, 83% above the world average of $0.63 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have exports of high carbon steel bloom from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $2.6 million in 2017 to $14.7 million in 2024, an increase of 462%. The peak was 2022 at $23.2 million. Over 8 years the average was $15.4 million a year.
Does South Africa also import high carbon steel bloom?
Yes. South Africa imported $1.5 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Spain, Italy and China. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $13.2 million a year.
What is the HS code for high carbon steel bloom?
The HS code for high carbon steel bloom is subheading 7207.20. It sits in HS chapter 72 (iron and steel). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 7207 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 high carbon steel bloom trade: top importers and exporters
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