Hot-rolled steel bars imports in Uganda: data, top suppliers and prices
Uganda imported $34.7 million of hot-rolled steel bars in 2024 (50.8 thousand tonnes). Value fell 41% from 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 27% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2021, at $83.4 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 | $34.7M | 50.8K t |
| 2023 | $59.0M | 74.6K t |
| 2022 | $51.8M | 55.5K t |
| 2021 | $83.4M | 120.7K t |
| 2020 | $37.7M | 65.3K t |
| 2019 | $43.3M | 79.7K t |
| 2018 | $55.9M | 81.4K t |
| 2017 | $6.4M | 15.2K t |
Where Uganda imports hot-rolled steel bars from
China alone supplied 72% of it.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $24.9M | 72% |
| Egypt | $5.6M | 16% |
| South Africa | $3.7M | 11% |
| United Arab Emirates | $406K | 1.2% |
| India | $165K | 0.5% |
| South Korea | $28K | 0.1% |
| Japan | $4K | 0% |
Product types under HS 7213
| 7213.91 | Small diameter hot-rolled bar | 99% |
| 7213.99 | Large diameter hot-rolled bar | 0.8% |
| 7213.10 | Deformed hot-rolled bar | 0.1% |
| 7213.20 | Free-cutting hot-rolled bar | 0% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 7213.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.68 per kg, close to the world average of $0.66.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Hot-rolled steel bars exports from Uganda
In 2024, Uganda exported hot-rolled steel bars worth $528 thousand (777 tonnes). One buyer market dominates: Rwanda accounted for 77% of the value.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Rwanda | $409K | 77% |
| Kenya | $71K | 14% |
| DR Congo | $41K | 7.8% |
| South Sudan | $5K | 0.9% |
| Burundi | $2K | 0.4% |
Who is behind these numbers in Uganda?
The shipment records behind Uganda hot-rolled steel bars imports (HS 7213): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
Tell us what you trade and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
Direct customs feed: shipment-level records from the official customs source.
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 7213: Iron or non-alloy steel; bars and rods, hot-rolled, in irregularly wound coils.
Common questions
What is the value of hot-rolled steel bars imported by Uganda?
Uganda imported hot-rolled steel bars worth $34.7 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 50.8 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 70th of 210 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 41% on 2023.
Which countries supply hot-rolled steel bars to Uganda?
China was the largest supplier with 72% of the value ($24.9 million), followed by Egypt (16%) and South Africa (11%). The top three together account for 98%, out of 7 supplier countries in total. Japan grew fastest among the top ten, up 127% on the year.
What is the average import price of hot-rolled steel bars per kg?
The average declared import value was about $0.68 per kg in 2024, close to the world average of $0.66 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of hot-rolled steel bars to Uganda changed since 2017?
Imports went from $6.4 million in 2017 to $34.7 million in 2024, an increase of 443%. The peak was 2021 at $83.4 million. Over 8 years the average was $46.5 million a year.
Does Uganda also export hot-rolled steel bars?
Yes. Uganda exported $528 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Rwanda, Kenya and the DR Congo. On balance Uganda is a net importer of this product, by about $34.2 million a year.
What is the HS code for hot-rolled steel bars?
The HS code for hot-rolled steel bars is heading 7213. In Uganda the largest six-digit codes were 7213.91 (99% of the value) and 7213.99 (1%).
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
EximDataX has a direct customs feed for Uganda, so the importers and exporters behind these totals are visible by name, shipment by shipment. Ask for a live look at your product.
Same product, other countries
World hot-rolled steel bars trade: top importers and exporters
See what your buyers are buying.Then decide.
Everything we show you comes from official customs filings — records, not claims. 30 minutes. Your shipment. Your HS code. Real platform. If you don’t see something new about your market by the end of the call, we walk away. No follow-ups.