Low carbon ferro-chromium exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
In 2024, South Africa exported low carbon ferro-chromium worth $42.1 million (3.3 thousand tonnes). It ranks 8th of 73 countries for exports of this product. That is 346% more than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2017, at $59.1 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 | $42.1M | 3.3K t |
| 2023 | $9.4M | 7.2K t |
| 2022 | $12.2M | 6.5K t |
| 2021 | $15.4M | 9.9K t |
| 2020 | $10.6M | 14.7K t |
| 2019 | $27.8M | 32.5K t |
| 2018 | $31.2M | 26.0K t |
| 2017 | $59.1M | 33.4K t |
Where South Africa exports low carbon ferro-chromium to
China alone took 91% of it. Among the main buyer markets, China grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $38.3M | 91% |
| DR Congo | $1.5M | 3.6% |
| United States | $902K | 2.1% |
| United Kingdom | $392K | 0.9% |
| Canada | $234K | 0.6% |
| Italy | $207K | 0.5% |
| India | $116K | 0.3% |
| Brazil | $85K | 0.2% |
| Zambia | $82K | 0.2% |
| Romania | $78K | 0.2% |
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $12.62 per kg, 331% above the world average of $2.93. 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.
Low carbon ferro-chromium imports to South Africa
Imports of low carbon ferro-chromium by South Africa reached $8.2 million in 2024 (2.7 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. The largest suppliers were China (41%), India (31%), Brazil (17%). Among the main suppliers, Kazakhstan grew fastest (+216% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $3.3M | 41% |
| India | $2.5M | 31% |
| Brazil | $1.4M | 17% |
| Kazakhstan | $545K | 6.7% |
| Oman | $284K | 3.5% |
| Russia | $102K | 1.3% |
| Sweden | $10K | 0.1% |
| Zimbabwe | $7K | 0.1% |
| United States | $1K | 0% |
| Italy | $0K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa low carbon ferro-chromium exports (HS 7202.49): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
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.
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 7202.49: Ferro-alloys: ferro-chromium, containing by weight 4% or less of carbon.
Common questions
What is the value of low carbon ferro-chromium exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported low carbon ferro-chromium worth $42.1 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 3.3 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 8th of 73 countries worldwide, with 5% of world exports. The value was up 346% on 2023.
Which countries buy low carbon ferro-chromium from South Africa?
China was the largest buyer with 91% of the value ($38.3 million), followed by the DR Congo (4%) and the United States (2%). The top three together account for 97%, out of 18 buyer countries in total. Italy grew fastest among the top ten, up 295% on the year.
What is the average export price of low carbon ferro-chromium per kg?
The average declared export value was about $12.62 per kg in 2024, 331% above the world average of $2.93 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have exports of low carbon ferro-chromium from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $59.1 million in 2017 to $42.1 million in 2024, a fall of 29%. The peak was 2017 at $59.1 million. Over 8 years the average was $26.0 million a year.
Does South Africa also import low carbon ferro-chromium?
Yes. South Africa imported $8.2 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from China, India and Brazil. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $33.9 million a year.
What is the HS code for low carbon ferro-chromium?
The HS code for low carbon ferro-chromium is subheading 7202.49. 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 low carbon ferro-chromium trade: top importers and exporters
See what your buyers are buying.Then decide.
Everything we show you comes from official customs filings — records, not claims. 30 minutes. Your shipment. Your HS code. Real platform. If you don’t see something new about your market by the end of the call, we walk away. No follow-ups.