Steel ingots imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $11.4 million of steel ingots in 2024 (26.8 thousand tonnes). It ranks 10th of 163 countries for imports of this product. That is 1090% more than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 47% a year on average.
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 | $11.4M | 26.8K t |
| 2023 | $959K | 815 t |
| 2022 | $955K | 381 t |
| 2021 | $715K | 1.3K t |
| 2020 | $329K | 282 t |
| 2019 | $259K | 351 t |
| 2018 | $405K | 812 t |
| 2017 | $770K | 993 t |
Where South Africa imports steel ingots from
Zimbabwe alone supplied 91% of it.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zimbabwe | $10.3M | 91% |
| Italy | $458K | 4% |
| China | $309K | 2.7% |
| United States | $258K | 2.3% |
| Germany | $47K | 0.4% |
| Netherlands | $2K | 0% |
| France | $1K | 0% |
| United Kingdom | $1K | 0% |
| Canada | $1K | 0% |
| Sweden | $1K | 0% |
Product types under HS 7206
| 7206.90 | Iron or non-alloy steel: primary forms (excluding ingots and iron of heading no. 7203) | 94% |
| 7206.10 | Iron or non-alloy steel: ingots (excluding iron of heading no. 7203) | 5.7% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 7206.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.43 per kg, 39% below the world average of $0.71, 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 ingots exports from South Africa
Exports of steel ingots by South Africa reached $1.1 million in 2024 (1.1 thousand tonnes). Most of it went to Benin (25%), United Kingdom (17%), Mozambique (10%). Among the main buyer markets, Madagascar grew fastest (+749% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Benin | $289K | 25% |
| United Kingdom | $197K | 17% |
| Mozambique | $117K | 10% |
| Namibia | $78K | 6.8% |
| Germany | $72K | 6.3% |
| Zambia | $60K | 5.3% |
| China | $47K | 4.1% |
| Turkey | $41K | 3.6% |
| Madagascar | $38K | 3.3% |
| DR Congo | $35K | 3.1% |
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 7206: Iron and non-alloy steel in ingots or other primary forms (excluding iron of heading no. 7203).
Common questions
What is the value of steel ingots imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported steel ingots worth $11.4 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 26.8 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 10th of 163 countries worldwide, with 2% of world imports.
Which countries supply steel ingots to South Africa?
Zimbabwe was the largest supplier with 91% of the value ($10.3 million), followed by Italy (4%) and China (3%). The top three together account for 97%, out of 18 supplier countries in total. China grew fastest among the top ten, up 873% on the year.
What is the average import price of steel ingots per kg?
The average declared import value was about $0.43 per kg in 2024, 39% below the world average of $0.71 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 ingots to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $770 thousand in 2017 to $11.4 million in 2024. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export steel ingots?
Yes. South Africa exported $1.1 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Benin, the United Kingdom and Mozambique. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $10.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for steel ingots?
The HS code for steel ingots is heading 7206. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 7206.90 (94% of the value) and 7206.10 (6%). It sits in HS chapter 72 (iron and steel). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 7206 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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