Metal slag exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
Exports of metal slag by South Africa reached $35.3 million in 2024 (150.5 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. That is 74% less than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 27% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2019, at $343.0 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 | $35.3M | 150.5K t |
| 2023 | $133.5M | 202.6K t |
| 2022 | $76.2M | 203.6K t |
| 2021 | $162.9M | 360.7K t |
| 2020 | $281.0M | 542.3K t |
| 2019 | $343.0M | 607.9K t |
| 2018 | $314.8M | 555.0K t |
| 2017 | $309.1M | 628.3K t |
Where South Africa exports metal slag to
The largest buyer markets were United States (30%), Netherlands (14%), Thailand (11%). Among the main buyer markets, Netherlands grew fastest (+999% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $10.7M | 30% |
| Netherlands | $5.0M | 14% |
| Thailand | $4.0M | 11% |
| Germany | $3.4M | 9.7% |
| Spain | $2.9M | 8.1% |
| Belgium | $2.0M | 5.7% |
| United Kingdom | $1.9M | 5.3% |
| Sri Lanka | $1.4M | 4% |
| China | $1.2M | 3.3% |
| India | $961K | 2.7% |
Product types under HS 2620
| 2620.30 | Slag, ash and residues: (not from the manufacture of iron or steel), containing mainly copper | 41% |
| 2620.99 | Slag, ash and residues: (not from the manufacture of iron or steel), containing mainly metals or their compounds, n.e.c. in heading no. 2620 | 40% |
| 2620.19 | Slag, ash and residues: (not from the manufacture of iron or steel), containing mainly zinc, other than hard zinc spelter | 14% |
| 2620.40 | Slag, ash and residues: (not from the manufacture of iron or steel), containing mainly aluminium | 3.2% |
| 2620.29 | Slag, ash and residues: (not from the manufacture of iron or steel), containing mainly lead: excluding leaded gasoline sludges and leaded anti-knock… | 1% |
| 2620.91 | Slag, ash and residues: (not from the manufacture of iron or steel), containing antimony, beryllium, cadmium, chromium or their mixtures | 0.6% |
| 2620.11 | Slag, ash and residues: (not from the manufacture of iron or steel), containing mainly zinc, hard zinc spelter | 0.2% |
| 2620.60 | Slag, ash and residues: (not from the manufacture of iron or steel), containing arsenic, mercury, thallium or their mixtures, of a kind used for the… | 0% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 2620.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.23 per kg, 79% below the world average of $1.07, which often means bulk or lower-grade product.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Metal slag imports to South Africa
Imports of metal slag by South Africa reached $17.2 million in 2024 (2.1 thousand tonnes). One supplier dominates: Canada accounted for 93% of the value.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | $16.1M | 94% |
| United Arab Emirates | $624K | 3.6% |
| Kenya | $267K | 1.6% |
| Mozambique | $116K | 0.7% |
| United Kingdom | $82K | 0.5% |
| Bahrain | $13K | 0.1% |
| South Korea | $11K | 0.1% |
| Chile | $3K | 0% |
| DR Congo | $3K | 0% |
| Mexico | $2K | 0% |
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 2620: Slag, ash and residues; (not from the manufacture of iron or steel) containing metals, arsenic or their compounds.
Common questions
What is the value of metal slag exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported metal slag worth $35.3 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 150.5 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 26th of 132 countries worldwide, with 1% of world exports. The value was down 74% on 2023.
Which countries buy metal slag from South Africa?
The United States was the largest buyer with 30% of the value ($10.7 million), followed by the Netherlands (14%) and Thailand (11%). The top three together account for 56%, out of 31 buyer countries in total. The Netherlands grew fastest among the top ten, up 999% on the year.
What is the average export price of metal slag per kg?
The average declared export value was about $0.23 per kg in 2024, 79% below the world average of $1.07 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 metal slag from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $309.1 million in 2017 to $35.3 million in 2024, a fall of 89%. The peak was 2019 at $343.0 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import metal slag?
Yes. South Africa imported $17.2 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Canada, the United Arab Emirates and Kenya. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $18.0 million a year.
What is the HS code for metal slag?
The HS code for metal slag is heading 2620. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 2620.30 (41% of the value) and 2620.99 (40%). It sits in HS chapter 26 (ores, slag and ash). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 2620 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
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