Africa: Non-Alloy Steel U-Section Market 2024

Non-Alloy Steel U-Section Market Size in Africa

In 2022, after five years of growth, there was decline in the African non-alloy steel u-section market, when its value decreased by -0.9% to $X. Overall, consumption continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the market value increased by 8.9%. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Non-Alloy Steel U-Section Production in Africa

In value terms, non-alloy steel u-section production declined to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production continues to indicate a pronounced slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 7.8%. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Non-Alloy Steel U-Section Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2022, overseas shipments of u-sections of non-alloy steel were finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year declining trend. In general, exports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 54%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, non-alloy steel u-section exports stood at $X in 2022. Overall, exports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 64% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

South Africa was the major exporter of u-sections of non-alloy steel in Africa, with the volume of exports amounting to X tons, which was near 68% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Libya (X tons), mixing up a 17% share of total exports. The following exporters - Senegal (X tons), Namibia (X tons), Ghana (X tons) and Zambia (X tons) - each recorded an 8.4% share of total exports.

Exports from South Africa decreased at an average annual rate of -2.9% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Namibia (+53.5%), Ghana (+28.0%), Zambia (+21.0%), Senegal (+15.2%) and Libya (+13.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Namibia emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Africa, with a CAGR of +53.5% from 2012-2022. While the share of Libya (+12 p.p.), Namibia (+2.1 p.p.), Ghana (+1.9 p.p.), Senegal (+1.9 p.p.) and Zambia (+1.5 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of South Africa (-15.1 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) remains the largest non-alloy steel u-section supplier in Africa, comprising 76% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Libya ($X), with an 11% share of total exports. It was followed by Zambia, with a 1.9% share.

In South Africa, non-alloy steel u-section exports remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Libya (+16.5% per year) and Zambia (+18.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2022, standing approx. at the previous year. Export price indicated a modest increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, non-alloy steel u-section export price increased by +50.5% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 49%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton, leveling off in the following year.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Libya (+2.9%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Non-Alloy Steel U-Section Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2022, purchases abroad of u-sections of non-alloy steel decreased by -2% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after three years of growth. Total imports indicated a noticeable expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports decreased by -25.6% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when imports increased by 30% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, non-alloy steel u-section imports reduced to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated a temperate 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, imports increased by +64.9% against 2015 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 23%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2021, and then contracted slightly in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Algeria (X tons), distantly followed by Morocco (X tons), Egypt (X tons), Ghana (X tons) and Tanzania (X tons) were the major importers of u-sections of non-alloy steel, together constituting 62% of total imports. The following importers - Zimbabwe (X tons), Tunisia (X tons), Kenya (X tons), Zambia (X tons), Cote d'Ivoire (X tons), Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons), Cameroon (X tons) and Senegal (X tons) - together made up 25% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by Egypt (with a CAGR of +26.6%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Morocco ($X), Algeria ($X) and Egypt ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together comprising 51% of total imports.

Egypt, with a CAGR of +31.0%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main importing countries 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, approximately reflecting the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the import price increased by 38% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices attained the maximum in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Egypt ($X per ton), while Algeria ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Morocco (+3.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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