New Zealand: Hot-Rolled Free-Cutting Steel Market 2025

Hot-Rolled Free-Cutting Steel Market Size in New Zealand

In 2021, the New Zealand hot-rolled free-cutting steel market was finally on the rise to reach $X after seven years of decline. In general, consumption, however, continues to indicate a abrupt descent. Hot-rolled free-cutting steel consumption peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Hot-Rolled Free-Cutting Steel Production in New Zealand

In value terms, hot-rolled free-cutting steel production surged to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, showed a abrupt setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when the production volume increased by 100% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2017 to 2021, production growth remained at a lower figure.

Hot-Rolled Free-Cutting Steel Exports

Exports from New Zealand

In 2021, overseas shipments of hot-rolled bars in free-cutting steels decreased by -36.9% to X tons, falling for the fifth year in a row after three years of growth. In general, exports recorded a abrupt downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 267% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2017 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, hot-rolled free-cutting steel exports fell dramatically to $X in 2021. Overall, exports faced a drastic downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when exports increased by 138%. The exports peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Australia (X tons) was the main destination for hot-rolled free-cutting steel exports from New Zealand, accounting for a 93% share of total exports. Moreover, hot-rolled free-cutting steel exports to Australia exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Samoa (X kg), more than tenfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Tonga (X kg), with a 2.7% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to Australia totaled +13.5%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Samoa (-37.6% per year) and Tonga (-2.3% per year).

In value terms, Australia ($X) remains the key foreign market for hot-rolled bars in free-cutting steels exports from New Zealand, comprising 87% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Samoa ($X), with a 7.8% share of total exports. It was followed by Tonga, with a 4.5% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Australia stood at +6.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Samoa (-31.2% per year) and Tonga (-1.7% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average hot-rolled free-cutting steel export price amounted to $X per ton, almost unchanged from the previous year. Overall, the export price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the average export price increased by 49%. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Fiji ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Australia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Solomon Islands (+13.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Hot-Rolled Free-Cutting Steel Imports

Imports into New Zealand

Hot-rolled free-cutting steel imports into New Zealand skyrocketed to X tons in 2021, increasing by 123% against the previous year. In general, imports, however, recorded a dramatic descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 with an increase of 296%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, hot-rolled free-cutting steel imports surged to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a abrupt curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when imports increased by 449%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Malaysia (X tons) constituted the largest hot-rolled free-cutting steel supplier to New Zealand, with a 67% share of total imports. Moreover, hot-rolled free-cutting steel imports from Malaysia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, South Africa (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Taiwan (Chinese) (X kg), with a 4.9% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Malaysia amounted to -6.8%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: South Africa (-28.0% per year) and Taiwan (Chinese) (-3.6% per year).

In value terms, the largest hot-rolled free-cutting steel suppliers to New Zealand were Malaysia ($X), South Africa ($X) and China ($X), together comprising 82% of total imports. These countries were followed by Taiwan (Chinese), the United States and Singapore, which together accounted for a further 12%.

Taiwan (Chinese), with a CAGR of -0.0%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced a decline.

Import Prices by Country

The average hot-rolled free-cutting steel import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, rising by 35% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price posted a resilient increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 44% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the price for Malaysia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+44.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :