Non-rectangular steel bar exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
South Africa exported $11.6 million of non-rectangular steel bar in 2024 (13.1 thousand tonnes). That is 35% less than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2023, at $18.0 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 | $11.6M | 13.1K t |
| 2023 | $18.0M | 19.1K t |
| 2022 | $14.8M | 14.1K t |
| 2021 | $16.2M | 15.5K t |
| 2020 | $11.3M | 15.9K t |
| 2019 | $16.4M | 21.9K t |
| 2018 | $12.1M | 14.3K t |
| 2017 | $8.9M | 11.7K t |
Where South Africa exports non-rectangular steel bar to
Most of it went to Zimbabwe (33%), Botswana (17%), DR Congo (12%). Among the main buyer markets, Lesotho grew fastest (+121% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zimbabwe | $3.9M | 34% |
| Botswana | $2.0M | 17% |
| DR Congo | $1.4M | 12% |
| Zambia | $1.0M | 8.8% |
| Namibia | $692K | 6% |
| Eswatini | $678K | 5.8% |
| Lesotho | $603K | 5.2% |
| Malawi | $532K | 4.6% |
| Mozambique | $530K | 4.6% |
| Uganda | $82K | 0.7% |
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.89 per kg, close to the world average of $0.79.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Non-rectangular steel bar imports to South Africa
In 2024, South Africa imported non-rectangular steel bar worth $21.9 million (25.6 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. China alone supplied 62% of it. Among the main suppliers, Italy grew fastest (+151% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $13.6M | 62% |
| Italy | $6.6M | 30% |
| India | $1.2M | 5.5% |
| Germany | $172K | 0.8% |
| Zambia | $119K | 0.5% |
| Japan | $92K | 0.4% |
| Belgium | $68K | 0.3% |
| Brazil | $44K | 0.2% |
| Botswana | $35K | 0.2% |
| United States | $25K | 0.1% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa non-rectangular steel bar exports (HS 7214.99): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
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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 7214.99: Iron or non-alloy steel: bars and rods, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or hot-extruded, n.e.c. in heading no. 7214, other than of rectangular cross-section.
Common questions
What is the value of non-rectangular steel bar exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported non-rectangular steel bar worth $11.6 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 13.1 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 35th of 124 countries worldwide, with 0% of world exports. The value was down 35% on 2023.
Which countries buy non-rectangular steel bar from South Africa?
Zimbabwe was the largest buyer with 33% of the value ($3.9 million), followed by Botswana (17%) and the DR Congo (12%). The top three together account for 63%, out of 26 buyer countries in total. Lesotho grew fastest among the top ten, up 121% on the year.
What is the average export price of non-rectangular steel bar per kg?
The average declared export value was about $0.89 per kg in 2024, 13% above the world average of $0.79 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have exports of non-rectangular steel bar from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $8.9 million in 2017 to $11.6 million in 2024, an increase of 30%. The peak was 2023 at $18.0 million. Over 8 years the average was $13.7 million a year.
Does South Africa also import non-rectangular steel bar?
Yes. South Africa imported $21.9 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from China, Italy and India. That compares with exports of $11.6 million in the same year.
What is the HS code for non-rectangular steel bar?
The HS code for non-rectangular steel bar is subheading 7214.99. It sits in HS chapter 72 (iron and steel). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 7214 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 non-rectangular steel bar trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for South Africa
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