Hollow drill bar exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
Exports of hollow drill bar by South Africa reached $21.9 million in 2024 (5.9 thousand tonnes). That makes it the 3rd largest exporter of this product worldwide, out of 88 countries. That is 241% more than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 23% 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 | $21.9M | 5.9K t |
| 2023 | $6.4M | 1.4K t |
| 2022 | $5.3M | 1.2K t |
| 2021 | $6.0M | 1.4K t |
| 2020 | $3.2M | 989 t |
| 2019 | $6.7M | 2.3K t |
| 2018 | $6.5M | 1.7K t |
| 2017 | $5.2M | 1.7K t |
Where South Africa exports hollow drill bar to
One buyer market dominates: DR Congo accounted for 78% of the value. Among the main buyer markets, DR Congo grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| DR Congo | $17.1M | 78% |
| Zambia | $2.6M | 12% |
| Namibia | $650K | 3% |
| Zimbabwe | $489K | 2.2% |
| India | $220K | 1% |
| Mozambique | $181K | 0.8% |
| Lesotho | $169K | 0.8% |
| Singapore | $145K | 0.7% |
| Botswana | $82K | 0.4% |
| Eswatini | $61K | 0.3% |
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $3.73 per kg, close to the world average of $3.24.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Hollow drill bar imports to South Africa
South Africa imported $6.7 million of hollow drill bar in 2024 (1.2 thousand tonnes). It ranks 8th of 146 countries for imports of this product. Most of the value came from Canada (41%), Sweden (32%), China (15%). Among the main suppliers, Sweden grew fastest (+34% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | $2.8M | 41% |
| Sweden | $2.2M | 33% |
| China | $1.0M | 15% |
| Germany | $268K | 4% |
| Burkina Faso | $129K | 1.9% |
| Lesotho | $75K | 1.1% |
| Taiwan | $73K | 1.1% |
| Namibia | $58K | 0.9% |
| Czech Republic | $58K | 0.9% |
| India | $40K | 0.6% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa hollow drill bar exports (HS 7228.80): 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 7228.80: Steel, alloy or non-alloy: hollow drill bars and rods.
Common questions
What is the value of hollow drill bar exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported hollow drill bar worth $21.9 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 5.9 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 3rd of 88 countries worldwide, with 12% of world exports. The value was up 241% on 2023.
Which countries buy hollow drill bar from South Africa?
The DR Congo was the largest buyer with 78% of the value ($17.1 million), followed by Zambia (12%) and Namibia (3%). The top three together account for 93%, out of 28 buyer countries in total. Mozambique grew fastest among the top ten, up 311% on the year.
What is the average export price of hollow drill bar per kg?
The average declared export value was about $3.73 per kg in 2024, 15% above the world average of $3.24 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have exports of hollow drill bar from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $5.2 million in 2017 to $21.9 million in 2024, an increase of 320%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Over 8 years the average was $7.7 million a year.
Does South Africa also import hollow drill bar?
Yes. South Africa imported $6.7 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Canada, Sweden and China. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $15.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for hollow drill bar?
The HS code for hollow drill bar is subheading 7228.80. 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?
EximDataX rebuilds South Africa trade from the customs records of its trading partners, so the companies shipping to and from it are visible. Ask for a live look at your product.
Same product, other countries
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