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South Africa - Ferro-Alloys - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights
Report Update: Jun 1, 2025

South Africa - Ferro-Alloys - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights

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May 3, 2024

Record-breaking $4.6B in Exports for South Africa's Ferro-alloys Industry in 2023

South Africa Ferro-Alloys Exports

In 2023, the amount of ferro-alloys exported from South Africa expanded rapidly to 4.3M tons, surging by 15% on the year before. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% from 2013 to 2023; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when exports increased by 24%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at 4.5M tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2023, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, ferro-alloys exports reached $4.6B (IndexBox estimates) in 2023. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% from 2013 to 2023; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when exports increased by 55%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum in 2023 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.South Africa Ferro-Alloys Exports By Country (Million USD)

COUNTRYExport Value of Ferro-Alloys in South Africa (million USD)
20132014201520162017201820192020202120222023
China1,0721,1331,3241,2428537539179421,0551,3061,625
Mozambique5.113864.51571391091181062441,0131,053
Belgium11616715016813415314097.223042.6297
Indonesia3.73.61.110.471.1435314265501344276
United States526687365374508410338227370446246
Japan336374287256243321227136202158190
United Arab Emirates10.426.114.7136413429374364634167148
South Korea25425430330031421819712928113382.2
Others1,3491,4361,0388871,062940629446681641720
Total3,6724,2193,5473,5313,7373,7683,2552,7114,1984,2524,638

Exports by Country

China (1.7M tons), Mozambique (1M tons) and Belgium (252K tons) were the main destinations of ferro-alloys exports from South Africa, together comprising 68% of total exports.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Mozambique (with a CAGR of +69.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for ferro-alloys exported from South Africa were China ($1.6B), Mozambique ($1.1B) and Belgium ($297M), with a combined 64% share of total exports.

In terms of the main countries of destination, Mozambique, with a CAGR of +70.4%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports by Type

Ferro-chromium (4M tons) was the largest type of ferro-alloys exported from South Africa, accounting for a 95% share of total exports. It was followed by ferro-silico-manganese (87K tons), with a 2% share of total exports. The third position in this ranking was held by ferro-manganese (77K tons), with a 1.8% share.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of the volume of ferro-chromium exports amounted to +3.2%. With regard to the other exported products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: ferro-silico-manganese (+10.5% per year) and ferro-manganese (-19.1% per year).

In value terms, ferro-chromium ($4.2B) remains the largest type of ferro-alloys exported from South Africa, comprising 91% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by miscellaneous ferro-alloys ($132M), with a 2.8% share of total exports. It was followed by ferro-manganese, with a 2.3% share.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of the value of ferro-chromium exports stood at +4.3%. With regard to the other exported products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: miscellaneous ferro-alloys (-3.1% per year) and ferro-manganese (-16.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2023, the ferro-alloys price amounted to $1,084 per ton (FOB, South Africa), waning by -5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the average export price increased by 25% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the maximum at $1,142 per ton in 2022, and then contracted in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2023, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($2,499 per ton), while the average price for exports to the United Arab Emirates ($972 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the Netherlands (+6.9%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the ferro-alloys market in South Africa. Within it, you will discover the latest data on market trends and opportunities by country, consumption, production and price developments, as well as the global trade (imports and exports). The forecast exhibits the market prospects through 2030.

Product coverage:

    Country coverage:

    • South Africa

    Data coverage:

    • Market volume and value
    • Per Capita consumption
    • Forecast of the market dynamics in the medium term
    • Trade (exports and imports) in South Africa
    • Export and import prices
    • Market trends, drivers and restraints
    • Key market players and their profiles

    Reasons to buy this report:

    • Take advantage of the latest data
    • Find deeper insights into current market developments
    • Discover vital success factors affecting the market

    This report is designed for manufacturers, distributors, importers, and wholesalers, as well as for investors, consultants and advisors.

    In this report, you can find information that helps you to make informed decisions on the following issues:

    1. How to diversify your business and benefit from new market opportunities
    2. How to load your idle production capacity
    3. How to boost your sales on overseas markets
    4. How to increase your profit margins
    5. How to make your supply chain more sustainable
    6. How to reduce your production and supply chain costs
    7. How to outsource production to other countries
    8. How to prepare your business for global expansion

    While doing this research, we combine the accumulated expertise of our analysts and the capabilities of artificial intelligence. The AI-based platform, developed by our data scientists, constitutes the key working tool for business analysts, empowering them to discover deep insights and ideas from the marketing data.

    1. 1. INTRODUCTION

      Making Data-Driven Decisions to Grow Your Business

      1. REPORT DESCRIPTION
      2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND THE AI PLATFORM
      3. DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
      4. GLOSSARY AND SPECIFIC TERMS

    2. 2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

      A Quick Overview of Market Performance

      1. KEY FINDINGS
      2. MARKET TRENDSThis Chapter is Available Only for the Professional EditionPRO

    3. 3. MARKET OVERVIEW

      Understanding the Current State of The Market and its Prospects

      1. MARKET SIZE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
      2. MARKET STRUCTURE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
      3. TRADE BALANCE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
      4. PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
      5. MARKET FORECAST TO 2035

    4. 4. MOST PROMISING PRODUCTS FOR DIVERSIFICATION

      Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business

      1. TOP PRODUCTS TO DIVERSIFY YOUR BUSINESS
      2. BEST-SELLING PRODUCTS
      3. MOST CONSUMED PRODUCTS
      4. MOST TRADED PRODUCTS
      5. MOST PROFITABLE PRODUCTS FOR EXPORTS

    5. 5. MOST PROMISING SUPPLYING COUNTRIES

      Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain

      1. TOP COUNTRIES TO SOURCE YOUR PRODUCT
      2. TOP PRODUCING COUNTRIES
      3. TOP EXPORTING COUNTRIES
      4. LOW-COST EXPORTING COUNTRIES

    6. 6. MOST PROMISING OVERSEAS MARKETS

      Choosing the Best Countries to Boost Your Export

      1. TOP OVERSEAS MARKETS FOR EXPORTING YOUR PRODUCT
      2. TOP CONSUMING MARKETS
      3. UNSATURATED MARKETS
      4. TOP IMPORTING MARKETS
      5. MOST PROFITABLE MARKETS

    7. 7. PRODUCTION

      The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry

      1. PRODUCTION VOLUME AND VALUE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)

    8. 8. IMPORTS

      The Largest Import Supplying Countries

      1. IMPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
      2. IMPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)
      3. IMPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)

    9. 9. EXPORTS

      The Largest Destinations for Exports

      1. EXPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
      2. EXPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)
      3. EXPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)

    10. 10. PROFILES OF MAJOR PRODUCERS

      The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles

    11. LIST OF TABLES

      1. Key Findings In 2024
      2. Market Volume, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
      3. Market Value: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
      4. Per Capita Consumption: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
      5. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
      6. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
      7. Import Prices, By Country, 2012–2024
      8. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
      9. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
      10. Export Prices, By Country, 2012–2024

    12. LIST OF FIGURES

      1. Market Volume, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
      2. Market Value: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
      3. Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, in Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
      4. Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, in Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
      5. Trade Balance, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
      6. Trade Balance, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
      7. Per Capita Consumption: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
      8. Market Volume Forecast to 2035
      9. Market Value Forecast to 2035
      10. Market Size and Growth, By Product
      11. Average Per Capita Consumption, By Product
      12. Exports and Growth, By Product
      13. Export Prices and Growth, By Product
      14. Production Volume and Growth
      15. Exports and Growth
      16. Export Prices and Growth
      17. Market Size and Growth
      18. Per Capita Consumption
      19. Imports and Growth
      20. Import Prices
      21. Production, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
      22. Production, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
      23. Imports, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
      24. Imports, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
      25. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
      26. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
      27. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
      28. Import Prices, By Country, 2012–2024
      29. Exports, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
      30. Exports, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
      31. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
      32. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
      33. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
      34. Export Prices, By Country, 2012–2024

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