Other steel bars exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
Exports of other steel bars by South Africa reached $15.2 million in 2024 (16.1 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. Value rose 44% on 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable.
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 | $15.2M | 16.1K t |
| 2023 | $10.6M | 9.0K t |
| 2022 | $13.5M | 11.0K t |
| 2021 | $11.4M | 8.9K t |
| 2020 | $8.7M | 12.1K t |
| 2019 | $11.9M | 12.2K t |
| 2018 | $13.2M | 11.1K t |
| 2017 | $13.2M | 17.8K t |
Where South Africa exports other steel bars to
Most of it went to Eswatini (26%), Zimbabwe (15%), Namibia (15%). Among the main buyer markets, Zimbabwe grew fastest (+828% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Eswatini | $3.9M | 26% |
| Zimbabwe | $2.3M | 15% |
| Namibia | $2.3M | 15% |
| Lesotho | $1.4M | 9.1% |
| Australia | $1.2M | 7.7% |
| Botswana | $830K | 5.5% |
| DR Congo | $797K | 5.3% |
| Zambia | $666K | 4.4% |
| Mozambique | $572K | 3.8% |
| United Kingdom | $495K | 3.3% |
Product types under HS 7215
| 7215.90 | Iron or non-alloy steel: bars and rods, n.e.c. in chapter 72, n.e.c. in heading no. 7215 | 90% |
| 7215.50 | Iron or non-alloy steel: bars and rods, n.e.c. in chapter 72, cold-formed or cold-finished, (not free-cutting) | 7.3% |
| 7215.10 | Iron or non-alloy steel: bars and rods, of free-cutting steel, cold-formed or cold-finished, n.e.c. in chapter 72 | 2.8% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 7215.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.94 per kg, 29% below the world average of $1.32, 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.
Other steel bars imports to South Africa
Imports of other steel bars by South Africa reached $8.8 million in 2024 (6.0 thousand tonnes). The largest suppliers were China (21%), Romania (16%), India (16%). Among the main suppliers, France grew fastest (+202% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $1.8M | 21% |
| Romania | $1.4M | 16% |
| India | $1.4M | 16% |
| Germany | $1.1M | 13% |
| Italy | $1.0M | 12% |
| Turkey | $675K | 7.6% |
| France | $472K | 5.3% |
| Spain | $277K | 3.1% |
| Taiwan | $262K | 3% |
| Thailand | $106K | 1.2% |
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
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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 7215: Iron or non-alloy steel; bars and rods, n.e.c. in chapter 72.
Common questions
What is the value of other steel bars exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported other steel bars worth $15.2 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 16.1 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 27th of 132 countries worldwide, with 1% of world exports. The value was up 44% on 2023.
Which countries buy other steel bars from South Africa?
Eswatini was the largest buyer with 26% of the value ($3.9 million), followed by Zimbabwe (15%) and Namibia (15%). The top three together account for 56%, out of 39 buyer countries in total. Zimbabwe grew fastest among the top ten, up 828% on the year.
What is the average export price of other steel bars per kg?
The average declared export value was about $0.94 per kg in 2024, 29% below the world average of $1.32 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 other steel bars from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $13.2 million in 2017 to $15.2 million in 2024, an increase of 15%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import other steel bars?
Yes. South Africa imported $8.8 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from China, Romania and India. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $6.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for other steel bars?
The HS code for other steel bars is heading 7215. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 7215.90 (90% of the value) and 7215.50 (7%). It sits in HS chapter 72 (iron and steel). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 7215 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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