Cameroon: Market for Hot-Rolled Steel Bars and Rods 2025

Market Size for Hot-Rolled Steel Bars and Rods in Cameroon

After five years of growth, the Cameroonian market for hot-rolled steel bars and rods decreased by -17% to $X in 2022. In general, consumption, however, recorded a modest increase. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2021, and then reduced dramatically in the following year.

Exports of Hot-Rolled Steel Bars and Rods

Exports from Cameroon

After three years of decline, shipments abroad of hot-rolled steel bars and rods increased by 255% to X tons in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a dramatic setback. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, hot-rolled steel bar and rod exports soared to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, saw a sharp reduction. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Chad (X tons) was the main destination for hot-rolled steel bar and rod exports from Cameroon, accounting for a 65% share of total exports. Moreover, hot-rolled steel bar and rod exports to Chad exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Gabon (X tons), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Nigeria (X tons), with a 7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to Chad stood at -20.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Gabon (-27.0% per year) and Nigeria (-44.7% per year).

In value terms, Chad ($X) emerged as the key foreign market for hot-rolled steel bars and rods exports from Cameroon, comprising 54% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Equatorial Guinea ($X), with a 19% share of total exports. It was followed by Central African Republic, with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Chad amounted to -21.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Equatorial Guinea (-19.4% per year) and Central African Republic (-23.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average export price for hot-rolled steel bars and rods amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 16% against the previous year. Overall, export price indicated a mild increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, hot-rolled steel bar and rod export price decreased by -9.9% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 an increase of 37% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2021 to 2022, the average export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Equatorial Guinea ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Gabon ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Central African Republic (+13.0%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Hot-Rolled Steel Bars and Rods

Imports into Cameroon

In 2022, purchases abroad of hot-rolled steel bars and rods decreased by -15.7% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. In general, imports recorded a noticeable shrinkage. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when imports increased by 46%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, hot-rolled steel bar and rod imports reduced dramatically to $X in 2022. Overall, imports recorded a perceptible slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 49%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Ukraine (X tons), China (X tons) and Belarus (X tons) were the main suppliers of hot-rolled steel bar and rod imports to Cameroon, with a combined 73% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Turkey, Portugal, Russia and Antigua and Barbuda, which together accounted for a further 24%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Russia (with a CAGR of +13.3%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest hot-rolled steel bar and rod suppliers to Cameroon were Ukraine ($X), China ($X) and Turkey ($X), with a combined 71% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Belarus, Portugal, Russia and Antigua and Barbuda, which together accounted for a further 25%.

Russia, with a CAGR of +11.6%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average import price for hot-rolled steel bars and rods stood at $X per ton in 2022, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price continues to indicate a mild slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 29%. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Antigua and Barbuda ($X per ton), while the price for Belarus ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Antigua and Barbuda (+1.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform