Steel cookware imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of steel cookware by South Africa reached $59.3 million in 2024 (31.0 thousand tonnes). Value rose 4% on 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2022, at $76.2 million.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $59.3M | 31.0K t |
| 2023 | $57.0M | 25.1K t |
| 2022 | $76.2M | 24.6K t |
| 2021 | $66.6M | 24.4K t |
| 2020 | $45.6M | 19.8K t |
| 2019 | $58.9M | 23.4K t |
| 2018 | $58.6M | 21.9K t |
| 2017 | $47.2M | 19.6K t |
Where South Africa imports steel cookware from
China alone supplied 75% of it. Among the main suppliers, France grew fastest (+44% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $44.4M | 75% |
| Zimbabwe | $5.0M | 8.4% |
| France | $3.0M | 5% |
| India | $2.3M | 3.9% |
| Turkey | $738K | 1.2% |
| Thailand | $612K | 1% |
| Spain | $585K | 1% |
| Italy | $500K | 0.8% |
| Latvia | $262K | 0.4% |
| Germany | $195K | 0.3% |
Product types under HS 7323
| 7323.93 | Steel, stainless: table, kitchen and other household articles and parts thereof | 41% |
| 7323.99 | Iron or steel: table, kitchen and other household articles and parts thereof, of iron or steel n.e.c. in heading no. 7323 | 24% |
| 7323.94 | Iron (excluding cast) or steel: table, kitchen and other household articles and parts thereof, enamelled | 14% |
| 7323.92 | Cast iron: table, kitchen and other household articles and parts thereof, of cast iron, enamelled | 10% |
| 7323.10 | Iron or steel: wool, pot scourers and scouring or polishing pads, gloves and the like | 8% |
| 7323.91 | Cast iron: table, kitchen and other household articles and parts thereof, of cast iron, not enamelled | 3.5% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 7323.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.91 per kg, 67% below the world average of $5.77, 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.
Steel cookware exports from South Africa
Exports of steel cookware by South Africa reached $19.8 million in 2024 (4.7 thousand tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Botswana (25%), Namibia (24%), Eswatini (7%). Among the main buyer markets, Australia grew fastest (+46% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Botswana | $5.0M | 25% |
| Namibia | $4.8M | 24% |
| Eswatini | $1.4M | 7.2% |
| Zambia | $1.4M | 6.9% |
| Zimbabwe | $1.2M | 6% |
| Lesotho | $1.2M | 5.9% |
| Mozambique | $733K | 3.7% |
| Australia | $514K | 2.6% |
| DR Congo | $404K | 2% |
| Netherlands | $339K | 1.7% |
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 7323: Table, kitchen, other household articles and parts, of iron or steel; iron or steel wool; pot scourers and scouring or polishing pads, gloves and the like, of iron or steel.
Common questions
What is the value of steel cookware imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported steel cookware worth $59.3 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 31.0 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 49th of 226 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 4% on 2023.
Which countries supply steel cookware to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 75% of the value ($44.4 million), followed by Zimbabwe (8%) and France (5%). The top three together account for 88%, out of 82 supplier countries in total. Latvia grew fastest among the top ten, up 51% on the year.
What is the average import price of steel cookware per kg?
The average declared import value was about $1.91 per kg in 2024, 67% below the world average of $5.77 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 imports of steel cookware to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $47.2 million in 2017 to $59.3 million in 2024, an increase of 26%. The peak was 2022 at $76.2 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export steel cookware?
Yes. South Africa exported $19.8 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Botswana, Namibia and Eswatini. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $39.5 million a year.
What is the HS code for steel cookware?
The HS code for steel cookware is heading 7323. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 7323.93 (41% of the value) and 7323.99 (24%). It sits in HS chapter 73 (iron or steel articles). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 7323 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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