Steel prop and scaffolding exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
Exports of steel prop and scaffolding by South Africa reached $66.8 million in 2024 (26.3 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. That is close to the 2023 level. 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 | $66.8M | 26.3K t |
| 2023 | $67.6M | 37.3K t |
| 2022 | $67.7M | 28.4K t |
| 2021 | $66.4M | 31.2K t |
| 2020 | $51.7M | 29.4K t |
| 2019 | $66.3M | 35.0K t |
| 2018 | $74.4M | 37.4K t |
| 2017 | $73.0M | 38.3K t |
Where South Africa exports steel prop and scaffolding to
Most of it went to Canada (13%), Zambia (11%), Australia (8%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 32%. Among the main buyer markets, United Kingdom grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | $8.8M | 13% |
| Zambia | $7.2M | 11% |
| Australia | $5.1M | 7.7% |
| United States | $5.0M | 7.4% |
| Lesotho | $4.3M | 6.4% |
| Botswana | $3.8M | 5.6% |
| Ghana | $2.9M | 4.4% |
| Zimbabwe | $2.9M | 4.3% |
| United Kingdom | $2.2M | 3.3% |
| Israel | $1.9M | 2.9% |
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $2.54 per kg, 24% above the world average of $2.05. This usually points to higher-grade or processed goods.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Steel prop and scaffolding imports to South Africa
In 2024, South Africa imported steel prop and scaffolding worth $19.4 million (9.9 thousand tonnes). Most of the value came from China (33%), Germany (16%), Turkey (13%). Among the main suppliers, Turkey grew fastest (+52% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $6.4M | 33% |
| Germany | $3.1M | 16% |
| Turkey | $2.5M | 13% |
| India | $2.0M | 10% |
| Austria | $723K | 3.7% |
| Madagascar | $656K | 3.4% |
| Portugal | $579K | 3% |
| Kenya | $557K | 2.9% |
| Spain | $483K | 2.5% |
| Botswana | $436K | 2.3% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa steel prop and scaffolding exports (HS 7308.40): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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Mirror data: built from the shipment records of the countries that trade with it.
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 7308.40: Iron or steel: structures and parts thereof, props and similar equipment for scaffolding, shuttering or pit-propping.
Common questions
What is the value of steel prop and scaffolding exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported steel prop and scaffolding worth $66.8 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 26.3 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 20th of 168 countries worldwide, with 1% of world exports. The value was down 1% on 2023.
Which countries buy steel prop and scaffolding from South Africa?
Canada was the largest buyer with 13% of the value ($8.8 million), followed by Zambia (11%) and Australia (8%). The top three together account for 32%, out of 82 buyer countries in total. Lesotho grew fastest among the top ten, up 124% on the year.
What is the average export price of steel prop and scaffolding per kg?
The average declared export value was about $2.54 per kg in 2024, 24% above the world average of $2.05 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have exports of steel prop and scaffolding from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $73.0 million in 2017 to $66.8 million in 2024, a fall of 8%. The peak was 2018 at $74.4 million. Over 8 years the average was $66.7 million a year.
Does South Africa also import steel prop and scaffolding?
Yes. South Africa imported $19.4 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from China, Germany and Turkey. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $47.4 million a year.
What is the HS code for steel prop and scaffolding?
The HS code for steel prop and scaffolding is subheading 7308.40. It sits in HS chapter 73 (iron or steel articles). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 7308 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
The totals here are public statistics; EximDataX adds the company names by reading partner countries' customs records for South Africa. Tell us your product to see it live.
Same product, other countries
World steel prop and scaffolding trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for South Africa
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