Africa: Market for Iron and Steel Wire 2025

Market Size for Iron and Steel Wire in Africa

In 2021, the African iron and steel wire market was finally on the rise to reach $X after two years of decline. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Production of Iron and Steel Wire in Africa

In value terms, iron and steel wire production skyrocketed to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, production attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports of Iron and Steel Wire

Exports in Africa

In 2021, shipments abroad of iron and steel wire decreased by -41.5% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. Overall, exports showed a deep contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 107%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, iron and steel wire exports contracted remarkably to $X in 2021. In general, exports recorded a noticeable setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 25% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2021, South Africa (X tons), Tunisia (X tons) and Egypt (X tons) was the main exporter of iron and steel wire in Africa, mixing up 89% of total export. Kenya (X tons), Benin (X tons) and Morocco (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by Benin (with a CAGR of +11.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest iron and steel wire supplying countries in Africa were South Africa ($X), Tunisia ($X) and Egypt ($X), with a combined 90% share of total exports.

Among the main exporting countries, Tunisia, with a CAGR of +10.4%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, growing by 35% against the previous year. Export price indicated moderate growth from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the export price increased by 77%. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, major exporting countries recorded the following prices: in Egypt ($X per ton) and Tunisia ($X per ton), while Benin ($X per ton) and Morocco ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Africa (+2.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Iron and Steel Wire

Imports in Africa

For the third year in a row, Africa recorded decline in supplies from abroad of iron and steel wire, which decreased by -28.8% to X tons in 2021. Over the period under review, imports showed a pronounced shrinkage. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 77%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, iron and steel wire imports contracted to $X in 2021. Overall, imports showed a abrupt shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 12% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Morocco (X tons), distantly followed by Kenya (X tons), Egypt (X tons), Tunisia (X tons), South Africa (X tons), Tanzania (X tons) and Libya (X tons) were the main importers of iron and steel wire, together achieving 78% of total imports. Botswana (X tons), Rwanda (X tons), Senegal (X tons), Zimbabwe (X tons) and Nigeria (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into Morocco increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Senegal (+13.3%), Libya (+11.9%), Botswana (+8.7%), Kenya (+5.6%), Tanzania (+5.0%), Tunisia (+5.0%), Rwanda (+3.9%) and Egypt (+1.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Senegal emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Africa, with a CAGR of +13.3% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Zimbabwe (-6.0%), South Africa (-13.0%) and Nigeria (-16.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Morocco (+14 p.p.), Kenya (+14 p.p.), Tunisia (+5.2 p.p.), Egypt (+4.4 p.p.), Libya (+3.4 p.p.), Botswana (+2.8 p.p.), Tanzania (+2.6 p.p.) and Senegal (+1.9 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Nigeria (-4 p.p.) and South Africa (-9.5 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Morocco ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported iron and steel wire in Africa, comprising 30% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Egypt ($X), with a 14% share of total imports. It was followed by Kenya, with an 11% share.

In Morocco, iron and steel wire imports expanded at an average annual rate of +4.8% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Egypt (+1.4% per year) and Kenya (+3.6% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 21% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, showed a slight decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 an increase of 45%. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Egypt ($X per ton), while Senegal ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Nigeria (+4.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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