Hot-rolled alloy steel bar imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of hot-rolled alloy steel bar by South Africa reached $13.7 million in 2024 (11.3 thousand tonnes). Value rose 54% on 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2019, at $18.5 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 | $13.7M | 11.3K t |
| 2023 | $8.9M | 15.3K t |
| 2022 | $16.1M | 11.0K t |
| 2021 | $18.5M | 18.0K t |
| 2020 | $13.1M | 18.2K t |
| 2019 | $18.5M | 22.4K t |
| 2018 | $16.5M | 17.7K t |
| 2017 | $18.5M | 11.9K t |
Where South Africa imports hot-rolled alloy steel bar from
China alone supplied 89% of it. Among the main suppliers, China grew fastest (+119% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $12.2M | 89% |
| Germany | $536K | 3.9% |
| India | $289K | 2.1% |
| United States | $265K | 1.9% |
| Sweden | $94K | 0.7% |
| Italy | $90K | 0.7% |
| Japan | $89K | 0.7% |
| Brazil | $39K | 0.3% |
| Slovenia | $39K | 0.3% |
| Taiwan | $25K | 0.2% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.22 per kg, close to the world average of $1.09.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Hot-rolled alloy steel bar exports from South Africa
Exports of hot-rolled alloy steel bar by South Africa reached $600 thousand in 2024 (392 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Zambia (30%), Angola (22%), Zimbabwe (15%). Among the main buyer markets, Malawi grew fastest (+744% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zambia | $183K | 31% |
| Angola | $131K | 22% |
| Zimbabwe | $92K | 15% |
| Tanzania | $58K | 9.7% |
| Lesotho | $43K | 7.2% |
| Namibia | $38K | 6.4% |
| Malawi | $17K | 2.9% |
| Madagascar | $13K | 2.1% |
| Botswana | $10K | 1.6% |
| Mozambique | $7K | 1.2% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa hot-rolled alloy steel bar imports (HS 7228.30): 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 7228.30: Steel, alloy: bars and rods, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or extruded.
Common questions
What is the value of hot-rolled alloy steel bar imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported hot-rolled alloy steel bar worth $13.7 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 11.3 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 56th of 183 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 54% on 2023.
Which countries supply hot-rolled alloy steel bar to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 89% of the value ($12.2 million), followed by Germany (4%) and India (2%). The top three together account for 95%, out of 20 supplier countries in total. India grew fastest among the top ten, up 681% on the year.
What is the average import price of hot-rolled alloy steel bar per kg?
The average declared import value was about $1.22 per kg in 2024, 12% above the world average of $1.09 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of hot-rolled alloy steel bar to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $18.5 million in 2017 to $13.7 million in 2024, a fall of 26%. The peak was 2019 at $18.5 million. Over 8 years the average was $15.5 million a year.
Does South Africa also export hot-rolled alloy steel bar?
Yes. South Africa exported $600 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Zambia, Angola and Zimbabwe. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $13.1 million a year.
What is the HS code for hot-rolled alloy steel bar?
The HS code for hot-rolled alloy steel bar is subheading 7228.30. 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?
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 hot-rolled alloy steel bar trade: top importers and exporters
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