Africa: Metal Wool Market 2025

Metal Wool Market Size in Africa

The African metal wool market declined modestly to $X in 2022, remaining constant against the previous year. The total consumption indicated a notable expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +20.6% against 2020 indices. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Metal Wool Production in Africa

In value terms, metal wool production declined to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 41%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2022, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Metal Wool Exports

Exports in Africa

After three years of decline, shipments abroad of iron or steel wool increased by 4.5% to X tons in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a abrupt curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 35% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, metal wool exports contracted to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a deep downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 28% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Egypt was the largest exporting country with an export of around X tons, which accounted for 55% of total exports. South Africa (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Kenya (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 39% share of total exports. Togo (X tons) took a little share of total exports.

Exports from Egypt decreased at an average annual rate of -18.3% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Togo (+36.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Togo emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Africa, with a CAGR of +36.5% from 2012-2022. Kenya experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, South Africa (-4.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of South Africa (+16 p.p.), Kenya (+13 p.p.) and Togo (+4.1 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of Egypt (-31.2 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Egypt ($X) remains the largest metal wool supplier in Africa, comprising 67% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by South Africa ($X), with a 21% share of total exports. It was followed by Kenya, with a 6.7% share.

In Egypt, metal wool exports decreased by an average annual rate of -6.7% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: South Africa (-3.3% per year) and Kenya (+1.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2022, dropping by -15.8% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, posted prominent growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 an increase of 142%. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2021, and then shrank rapidly in the following year.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Egypt (+14.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Metal Wool Imports

Imports in Africa

For the fifth consecutive year, Africa recorded growth in overseas purchases of iron or steel wool, which increased by 8.6% to X tons in 2022. In general, imports recorded a strong increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 152%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, metal wool imports totaled $X in 2022. Overall, imports continue to indicate a modest expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when imports increased by 181% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

South Africa represented the largest importer of iron or steel wool in Africa, with the volume of imports amounting to X tons, which was near 50% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Kenya (X tons), Burkina Faso (X tons) and Ghana (X tons), together making up a 28% share of total imports. The following importers - Morocco (X tons), Mozambique (X tons) and Nigeria (X tons) - each finished at a 5.8% share of total imports.

Imports into South Africa increased at an average annual rate of +35.6% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Burkina Faso (+43.2%), Kenya (+23.1%), Mozambique (+20.6%), Morocco (+9.2%) and Ghana (+9.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Burkina Faso emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Africa, with a CAGR of +43.2% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Nigeria (-19.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of South Africa, Kenya and Burkina Faso increased by +45, +10 and +8.3 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Ghana ($X), South Africa ($X) and Kenya ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 43% share of total imports. Morocco, Burkina Faso, Nigeria and Mozambique lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 11%.

Among the main importing countries, Burkina Faso, with a CAGR of +41.3%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, reducing by -3.9% against the previous year. Overall, the import price recorded a abrupt curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the import price increased by 18%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Ghana (+12.4%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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