Australia and Oceania: Hot-Rolled Free-Cutting Steel Market 2025

Hot-Rolled Free-Cutting Steel Exports

Exports in Australia and Oceania

In 2021, after four years of decline, there was significant growth in shipments abroad of hot-rolled bars in free-cutting steels, when their volume increased by 121% to X tons. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed a abrupt shrinkage. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 281%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, hot-rolled free-cutting steel exports soared to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, faced a abrupt downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 136%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Australia represented the major exporting country with an export of around X tons, which finished at 73% of total exports. It was distantly followed by New Zealand (X tons), mixing up a 27% share of total exports.

Australia was also the fastest-growing in terms of the hot-rolled bars in free-cutting steels exports, with a CAGR of -9.5% from 2012 to 2021. New Zealand (-12.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Australia increased by +6.8 percentage points.

In value terms, Australia ($X) emerged as the largest hot-rolled free-cutting steel supplier in Australia and Oceania, comprising 76% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by New Zealand ($X), with a 24% share of total exports.

In Australia, hot-rolled free-cutting steel exports declined by an average annual rate of -15.3% over the period from 2012-2021.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Australia and Oceania amounted to $X per ton, growing by 3% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, recorded a pronounced descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 22%. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Australia ($X per ton), while New Zealand amounted to $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by New Zealand (-0.5%).

Hot-Rolled Free-Cutting Steel Imports

Imports in Australia and Oceania

In 2021, the amount of hot-rolled bars in free-cutting steels imported in Australia and Oceania declined to X tons, dropping by -10.6% compared with the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a abrupt downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 142% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, hot-rolled free-cutting steel imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Overall, imports continue to indicate a abrupt descent. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 115%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Australia represented the largest importing country with an import of around X tons, which amounted to 54% of total imports. Papua New Guinea (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Vanuatu (X tons) and American Samoa (X tons). All these countries together took near 32% share of total imports. The following importers - Solomon Islands (X tons), Tonga (X tons) and Samoa (X tons) - together made up 8.9% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to hot-rolled free-cutting steel imports into Australia stood at -15.7%. At the same time, Tonga (+54.4%), Vanuatu (+23.6%), American Samoa (+22.1%) and Solomon Islands (+9.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Tonga emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Australia and Oceania, with a CAGR of +54.4% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Samoa (-6.7%) and Papua New Guinea (-14.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Vanuatu (+8.5 p.p.), American Samoa (+6.1 p.p.), Solomon Islands (+3.6 p.p.) and Tonga (+2.5 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Papua New Guinea (-4 p.p.) and Australia (-19.1 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Australia ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported hot-rolled bars in free-cutting steels in Australia and Oceania, comprising 55% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Papua New Guinea ($X), with a 14% share of total imports. It was followed by Vanuatu, with a 4.1% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Australia totaled -11.6%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Papua New Guinea (-13.8% per year) and Vanuatu (+24.6% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Australia and Oceania stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 39% against the previous year. Over the last nine-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.9%. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Australia ($X per ton), while American Samoa ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Australia (+4.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :