Pig iron exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
Exports of pig iron by South Africa reached $291.9 million in 2024 (771.4 thousand tonnes). It ranks 5th of 87 countries for exports of this product. That is close to the 2023 level. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2022, at $368.5 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 | $291.9M | 771.4K t |
| 2023 | $296.7M | 679.2K t |
| 2022 | $368.5M | 652.8K t |
| 2021 | $240.4M | 518.8K t |
| 2020 | $140.2M | 441.6K t |
| 2019 | $213.7M | 565.4K t |
| 2018 | $247.0M | 595.3K t |
| 2017 | $197.2M | 495.9K t |
Where South Africa exports pig iron to
The largest buyer markets were Italy (31%), United States (18%), Netherlands (12%). Among the main buyer markets, Turkey grew fastest (+68% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Italy | $89.2M | 31% |
| United States | $53.1M | 18% |
| Netherlands | $36.3M | 13% |
| Spain | $22.6M | 7.7% |
| Turkey | $20.6M | 7.1% |
| Germany | $15.7M | 5.4% |
| Oman | $9.7M | 3.3% |
| Japan | $8.1M | 2.8% |
| South Korea | $6.2M | 2.1% |
| Thailand | $5.0M | 1.7% |
Product types under HS 7201
| 7201.10 | Iron: non-alloy pig iron containing by weight 0.5% or less of phosphorus, in pigs, blocks or other primary forms | 98% |
| 7201.50 | Iron: alloy pig iron, spiegeleisen, in pigs, blocks or other primary forms | 1.6% |
| 7201.20 | Iron: non-alloy pig iron containing by weight more than 0.5% of phosphorus, in pigs, blocks or other primary forms | 0% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 7201.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.38 per kg, close to the world average of $0.45.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Pig iron imports to South Africa
South Africa imported $14.7 million of pig iron in 2024 (67.0 thousand tonnes). Mozambique alone supplied 95% of it.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Mozambique | $13.9M | 95% |
| Australia | $462K | 3.1% |
| Zimbabwe | $276K | 1.9% |
| Zambia | $31K | 0.2% |
| United Arab Emirates | $11K | 0.1% |
| Netherlands | $8K | 0.1% |
| Germany | $1K | 0% |
| China | $1K | 0% |
| Turkey | $0K | 0% |
| India | $0K | 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 7201: Pig iron and spiegeleisen in pigs, blocks or other primary forms.
Common questions
What is the value of pig iron exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported pig iron worth $291.9 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 771.4 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 5th of 87 countries worldwide, with 6% of world exports. The value was down 2% on 2023.
Which countries buy pig iron from South Africa?
Italy was the largest buyer with 31% of the value ($89.2 million), followed by the United States (18%) and the Netherlands (12%). The top three together account for 61%, out of 39 buyer countries in total. Turkey grew fastest among the top ten, up 68% on the year.
What is the average export price of pig iron per kg?
The average declared export value was about $0.38 per kg in 2024, 16% below the world average of $0.45 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 pig iron from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $197.2 million in 2017 to $291.9 million in 2024, an increase of 48%. The peak was 2022 at $368.5 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import pig iron?
Yes. South Africa imported $14.7 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Mozambique, Australia and Zimbabwe. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $277.2 million a year.
What is the HS code for pig iron?
The HS code for pig iron is heading 7201. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 7201.10 (98% of the value) and 7201.50 (2%). It sits in HS chapter 72 (iron and steel). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 7201 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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