Central Asia: Metal Wool Market 2025

Metal Wool Market Size in Central Asia

The Central Asian metal wool market stood at $X in 2022, increasing by 9.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption saw a drastic downturn. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Metal Wool Production in Central Asia

In value terms, metal wool production expanded modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production recorded a significant increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when the production volume increased by 746%. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Metal Wool Exports

Exports in Central Asia

In 2022, overseas shipments of iron or steel wool increased by 896% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. Overall, exports saw a significant expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when exports increased by 1,373% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, metal wool exports surged to $X in 2022. In general, exports posted a significant expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 1,350% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Uzbekistan prevails in exports structure, recording X tons, which was approx. 97% of total exports in 2022. Kazakhstan (X tons) took a minor share of total exports.

Uzbekistan was also the fastest-growing in terms of the iron or steel wool exports, with a CAGR of +169.1% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Kazakhstan (+13.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Uzbekistan (+97 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Kazakhstan saw its share reduced by -87.5% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, Uzbekistan ($X) remains the largest metal wool supplier in Central Asia, comprising 74% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Kazakhstan ($X), with a 26% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Uzbekistan stood at +308.8%.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Central Asia stood at $X per ton in 2022, surging by 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, recorded a abrupt slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 an increase of 50%. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 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 Kazakhstan ($X per ton), while Uzbekistan totaled $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Uzbekistan (+51.8%).

Metal Wool Imports

Imports in Central Asia

Metal wool imports fell to X tons in 2022, standing approx. at 2021. Overall, imports continue to indicate a deep slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 199% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, metal wool imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. In general, imports continue to indicate a pronounced contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 242% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Kazakhstan (X tons) represented the major importer of iron or steel wool, making up 56% of total imports. Kyrgyzstan (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 20% share, followed by Mongolia (10%) and Uzbekistan (8%). The following importers - Tajikistan (X tons) and Turkmenistan (X tons) - together made up 5.5% of total imports.

Imports into Kazakhstan decreased at an average annual rate of -9.8% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Uzbekistan (+33.4%) and Turkmenistan (+2.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Uzbekistan emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Central Asia, with a CAGR of +33.4% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Kyrgyzstan (-1.3%), Mongolia (-3.0%) and Tajikistan (-7.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Kyrgyzstan (+8.9 p.p.), Uzbekistan (+8 p.p.) and Mongolia (+3.4 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of Kazakhstan (-20.9 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Kazakhstan ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported iron or steel wool in Central Asia, comprising 79% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Kyrgyzstan ($X), with a 10% share of total imports. It was followed by Uzbekistan, with a 3.9% share.

In Kazakhstan, metal wool imports plunged by an average annual rate of -4.8% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Kyrgyzstan (+0.2% per year) and Uzbekistan (+35.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Central Asia amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 19% against the previous year. Import price indicated perceptible growth from 2012 to 2022: its price 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, metal wool import price decreased by -16.7% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the import price increased by 42% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2020; however, from 2021 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 Kazakhstan ($X per ton), while Mongolia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Kazakhstan (+5.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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