Australia and Oceania: Expanded Metal Market 2025

Expanded Metal Exports

Exports in Australia and Oceania

In 2022, shipments abroad of iron or steel expanded metal decreased by -39.8% to X tons, falling for the fourth consecutive year after four years of growth. Over the period under review, exports showed a drastic downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 175% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, expanded metal exports reduced remarkably to $X in 2022. In general, exports saw a deep setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when exports increased by 167% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Fiji dominates exports structure, finishing at X tons, which was approx. 92% of total exports in 2022. Australia (X tons) and Niue (X tons) held a little share of total exports.

Fiji was also the fastest-growing in terms of the iron or steel expanded metal exports, with a CAGR of +35.9% from 2012 to 2022. Niue experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. Australia (-30.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Fiji (+90 p.p.) and Niue (+3.3 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of Australia (-75.5 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Fiji ($X) remains the largest expanded metal supplier in Australia and Oceania, comprising 65% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Australia ($X), with a 25% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Fiji amounted to +31.3%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Australia (-20.0% per year) and Niue (0.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Australia and Oceania stood at $X per ton in 2022, increasing by 33% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, saw a pronounced shrinkage. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Australia ($X per ton), while Niue ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Australia (+15.5%).

Expanded Metal Imports

Imports in Australia and Oceania

Expanded metal imports rose rapidly to X tons in 2022, picking up by 15% compared with the previous year. Total imports indicated a notable increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% 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 -5.9% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when imports increased by 32%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, expanded metal imports soared to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports posted a remarkable increase. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Australia was the largest importing country with an import of about X tons, which resulted at 40% of total imports. Fiji (X tons) took a 19% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by New Zealand (11%), New Caledonia (10%), Papua New Guinea (10%) and French Polynesia (5.3%).

Australia experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports of iron or steel expanded metal. At the same time, New Zealand (+13.7%), Fiji (+9.4%), Papua New Guinea (+9.0%), New Caledonia (+8.2%) and French Polynesia (+7.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, New Zealand emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Australia and Oceania, with a CAGR of +13.7% from 2012-2022. While the share of Fiji (+7.1 p.p.), New Zealand (+6.6 p.p.), Papua New Guinea (+3.7 p.p.) and New Caledonia (+3.2 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of Australia (-23.5 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Australia ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported iron or steel expanded metal in Australia and Oceania, comprising 37% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Fiji ($X), with a 16% share of total imports. It was followed by Papua New Guinea, with a 15% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Australia amounted to +2.8%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Fiji (+12.2% per year) and Papua New Guinea (+10.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Australia and Oceania amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 9.2% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.7%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 40%. Over the period under review, import prices attained the peak figure in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by New Caledonia (+3.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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