SADC: Iron Angle Market 2025

Iron Angle Market Size in SADC

The SADC iron angle market expanded notably to $X in 2021, surging by 12% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption, however, saw a slight slump. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Iron Angle Production in SADC

In value terms, iron angle production reached $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, saw a pronounced decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 24%. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Iron Angle Exports

Exports in SADC

In 2021, overseas shipments of angles, shapes and sections (of iron or non-alloy steel) decreased by -6.5% to X tons, falling for the third consecutive year after two years of growth. In general, exports saw a pronounced reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 39%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, iron angle exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Overall, exports continue to indicate a noticeable setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 42%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2021, South Africa (X tons) was the major exporter of angles, shapes and sections (of iron or non-alloy steel), achieving 82% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Zambia (X tons), achieving an 11% share of total exports. Tanzania (X tons) and Zimbabwe (X tons) held a little share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to iron angle exports from South Africa stood at -5.8%. At the same time, Tanzania (+11.1%) and Zambia (+7.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Tanzania emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in SADC, with a CAGR of +11.1% from 2012-2021. Zimbabwe experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. While the share of Zambia (+7 p.p.) and Tanzania (+2 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of South Africa (-11.5 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) remains the largest iron angle supplier in SADC, comprising 84% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Zambia ($X), with a 9.6% share of total exports. It was followed by Tanzania, with a 2.6% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in South Africa amounted to -4.1%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Zambia (+8.8% per year) and Tanzania (+8.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2021, with an increase of 45% against the previous year. Over the last nine years, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.2%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was South Africa ($X per ton), while Zimbabwe ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Africa (+1.8%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Iron Angle Imports

Imports in SADC

In 2021, purchases abroad of angles, shapes and sections (of iron or non-alloy steel) was finally on the rise to reach X tons after four years of decline. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 37%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2017 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, iron angle imports soared to $X in 2021. In general, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of import peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, South Africa (X tons) was the key importer of angles, shapes and sections (of iron or non-alloy steel), committing 26% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons), Zimbabwe (X tons), Zambia (X tons), Tanzania (X tons), Angola (X tons), Madagascar (X tons), Mozambique (X tons), Malawi (X tons) and Botswana (X tons), together creating a 66% share of total imports.

South Africa experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports of angles, shapes and sections (of iron or non-alloy steel). At the same time, Malawi (+14.8%), Botswana (+12.2%), Democratic Republic of the Congo (+8.8%), Madagascar (+7.8%), Zimbabwe (+4.3%), Tanzania (+4.2%) and Mozambique (+2.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Malawi emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in SADC, with a CAGR of +14.8% from 2012-2021. Zambia experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Angola (-12.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Democratic Republic of the Congo (+5.2 p.p.), Malawi (+3.5 p.p.), Botswana (+3 p.p.), Madagascar (+2.6 p.p.), Zimbabwe (+2.3 p.p.) and Tanzania (+2 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Zambia, South Africa and Angola saw its share reduced by -1.6%, -3% and -15.9% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest iron angle importing markets in SADC were South Africa ($X), Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X) and Zimbabwe ($X), with a combined 43% share of total imports. Zambia, Tanzania, Angola, Mozambique, Botswana, Malawi and Madagascar lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 48%.

Malawi, with a CAGR of +13.4%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2021, jumping by 19% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the import price increased by 26% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, 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 Botswana ($X per ton), while South Africa ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Angola (+0.9%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform