Reduced iron and sponge iron exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
Exports of reduced iron and sponge iron by South Africa reached $11.0 million in 2024 (36.7 thousand tonnes). That is 14% more than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2021, at $18.5 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 | $11.0M | 36.7K t |
| 2023 | $9.6M | 28.9K t |
| 2022 | $16.1M | 35.9K t |
| 2021 | $18.5M | 64.6K t |
| 2020 | $8.0M | 21.2K t |
| 2019 | $9.4M | 34.7K t |
| 2018 | $8.7M | 34.7K t |
| 2017 | $10.3M | 48.6K t |
Where South Africa exports reduced iron and sponge iron to
India alone took 62% of it. Among the main buyer markets, Kenya grew fastest (+385% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| India | $6.8M | 62% |
| Kenya | $1.9M | 17% |
| Thailand | $1.4M | 13% |
| Austria | $494K | 4.5% |
| Tanzania | $188K | 1.7% |
| Djibouti | $68K | 0.6% |
| United States | $65K | 0.6% |
| Pakistan | $35K | 0.3% |
| Cyprus | $15K | 0.1% |
| Sweden | $14K | 0.1% |
Product types under HS 7203
| 7203.10 | Ferrous products: obtained by direct reduction of iron ore, in lumps, pellets or similar forms | 100% |
| 7203.90 | Ferrous products: spongy ferrous products and iron having a minimum purity by weight of 99.94%, in lumps, pellets or similar forms | 0.4% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 7203.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.30 per kg, close to the world average of $0.30.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Reduced iron and sponge iron imports to South Africa
Imports of reduced iron and sponge iron by South Africa reached $323 thousand in 2024 (571 tonnes). United Arab Emirates alone supplied 68% of it. Among the main suppliers, Germany grew fastest (+206% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United Arab Emirates | $219K | 68% |
| Italy | $66K | 20% |
| Germany | $28K | 8.6% |
| Botswana | $6K | 1.8% |
| China | $2K | 0.7% |
| Pakistan | $2K | 0.5% |
| Spain | $1K | 0.2% |
| United States | $0K | 0% |
| Latvia | $0K | 0% |
| Finland | $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 7203: Ferrous products obtained by direct reduction of iron ore and other spongy ferrous products, in lumps, pellets or the like; iron having a minimum purity of 99.94%, in lumps, pellets or similar forms.
Common questions
What is the value of reduced iron and sponge iron exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported reduced iron and sponge iron worth $11.0 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 36.7 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 22nd of 96 countries worldwide, with 0% of world exports. The value was up 14% on 2023.
Which countries buy reduced iron and sponge iron from South Africa?
India was the largest buyer with 62% of the value ($6.8 million), followed by Kenya (17%) and Thailand (12%). The top three together account for 92%, out of 16 buyer countries in total. Kenya grew fastest among the top ten, up 385% on the year.
What is the average export price of reduced iron and sponge iron per kg?
The average declared export value was about $0.30 per kg in 2024, close to the world average of $0.30 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 reduced iron and sponge iron from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $10.3 million in 2017 to $11.0 million in 2024, an increase of 6%. The peak was 2021 at $18.5 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import reduced iron and sponge iron?
Yes. South Africa imported $323 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly from the United Arab Emirates, Italy and Germany. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $10.6 million a year.
What is the HS code for reduced iron and sponge iron?
The HS code for reduced iron and sponge iron is heading 7203. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 7203.10 (100% of the value) and 7203.90 (0%). It sits in HS chapter 72 (iron and steel). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 7203 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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