Hot-rolled steel bars exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
South Africa exported $102.8 million of hot-rolled steel bars in 2024 (164.3 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. That is 44% less than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2023, at $182.8 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 | $102.8M | 164.3K t |
| 2023 | $182.8M | 213.0K t |
| 2022 | $100.5M | 127.6K t |
| 2021 | $84.0M | 116.0K t |
| 2020 | $58.8M | 118.0K t |
| 2019 | $126.5M | 252.1K t |
| 2018 | $72.1M | 114.2K t |
| 2017 | $69.1M | 146.1K t |
Where South Africa exports hot-rolled steel bars to
Most of it went to Netherlands (16%), Cote d'Ivoire (16%), Ghana (11%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 43%. Among the main buyer markets, Kenya grew fastest (+70% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | $16.2M | 16% |
| Cote d'Ivoire | $16.0M | 16% |
| Ghana | $11.8M | 11% |
| Kenya | $11.4M | 11% |
| Zambia | $6.7M | 6.5% |
| Mauritius | $5.2M | 5% |
| Italy | $4.9M | 4.8% |
| Senegal | $3.8M | 3.7% |
| Uganda | $3.7M | 3.6% |
| Namibia | $3.7M | 3.6% |
Product types under HS 7213
| 7213.91 | Iron or non-alloy steel: bars and rods, hot-rolled, in irregularly wound coils, n.e.c. in heading no. 7213, of circular cross-section measuring less… | 80% |
| 7213.10 | Iron or non-alloy steel: bars and rods, hot-rolled, in irregularly wound coils, containing indentations, ribs, grooves or other deformations produced… | 8.9% |
| 7213.99 | Iron or non-alloy steel: bars and rods, hot-rolled, in irregularly wound coils, n.e.c. in heading no. 7213, of circular cross-section measuring 14mm… | 6.5% |
| 7213.20 | Iron or non-alloy steel: bars and rods, hot-rolled, in irregularly wound coils, of free-cutting steel | 5.1% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 7213.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.63 per kg, close to the world average of $0.66.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Hot-rolled steel bars imports to South Africa
In 2024, South Africa imported hot-rolled steel bars worth $10.4 million (14.6 thousand tonnes). Most of the value came from China (48%), Hong Kong (38%), Germany (9%). Among the main suppliers, Germany grew fastest (+365% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $5.0M | 48% |
| Hong Kong | $4.0M | 38% |
| Germany | $981K | 9.4% |
| Japan | $148K | 1.4% |
| Turkey | $147K | 1.4% |
| Spain | $39K | 0.4% |
| Namibia | $20K | 0.2% |
| Brazil | $15K | 0.1% |
| Italy | $11K | 0.1% |
| Botswana | $7K | 0.1% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
Public statistics stop at country totals and the last published year. EximDataX shows the shipment records underneath: the companies, dates, quantities and declared values, updated weekly.
Shipment records are in the platform
Tell us what you trade and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
Mirror data: built from the shipment records of the countries that trade with it.
Updated weekly on EximDataX (some markets daily), while public statistics stop at 2024.
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: Iron or non-alloy steel; bars and rods, hot-rolled, in irregularly wound coils.
Common questions
What is the value of hot-rolled steel bars exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported hot-rolled steel bars worth $102.8 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 164.3 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 28th of 124 countries worldwide, with 1% of world exports. The value was down 44% on 2023.
Which countries buy hot-rolled steel bars from South Africa?
The Netherlands was the largest buyer with 16% of the value ($16.2 million), followed by Cote d'Ivoire (16%) and Ghana (11%). The top three together account for 43%, out of 39 buyer countries in total. Kenya grew fastest among the top ten, up 70% on the year.
What is the average export price of hot-rolled steel bars per kg?
The average declared export value was about $0.63 per kg in 2024, close to the world average of $0.66 per kg. It is total declared value divided by total weight, so it blends every grade and size; use it as a benchmark, not a quote. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
How have exports of hot-rolled steel bars from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $69.1 million in 2017 to $102.8 million in 2024, an increase of 49%. The peak was 2023 at $182.8 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import hot-rolled steel bars?
Yes. South Africa imported $10.4 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from China, Hong Kong and Germany. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $92.4 million a year.
What is the HS code for hot-rolled steel bars?
The HS code for hot-rolled steel bars is heading 7213. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 7213.91 (80% of the value) and 7213.10 (9%). 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?
Public statistics stop at country totals. EximDataX rebuilds South Africa trade from the customs records of its trading partners, updated weekly, so you can see the companies that ship to and from it. Tell us your product and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
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