SADC: Cored Arc-Welding Wire Market 2025

Cored Arc-Welding Wire Market Size in SADC

After two years of decline, the SADC cored arc-welding wire market increased by 26% to $X in 2021. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Cored Arc-Welding Wire Production in SADC

In value terms, cored arc-welding wire production soared to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a buoyant increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.0% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production decreased by -25.5% against 2018 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 43%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Cored Arc-Welding Wire Exports

Exports in SADC

In 2021, the amount of cored arc-welding wire exported in SADC contracted to X tons, declining by -12.3% compared with the year before. In general, exports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 70%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, cored arc-welding wire exports amounted to $X in 2021. Overall, exports recorded a slight contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 64% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

South Africa dominates exports structure, resulting at X tons, which was near 83% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Zambia (X tons), achieving a 7.4% share of total exports. Mozambique (X tons), Tanzania (X tons) and Botswana (X tons) took a minor share of total exports.

Exports from South Africa decreased at an average annual rate of -1.9% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Zambia (+79.7%), Botswana (+46.3%), Tanzania (+42.7%) and Mozambique (+18.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Zambia emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in SADC, with a CAGR of +79.7% from 2012-2021. Zambia (+7.4 p.p.), Tanzania (+3.3 p.p.), Mozambique (+2.8 p.p.) and Botswana (+2 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while South Africa saw its share reduced by -12.9% from 2012 to 2021, respectively.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) remains the largest cored arc-welding wire supplier in SADC, comprising 89% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Zambia ($X), with a 6.1% share of total exports. It was followed by Mozambique, with a 1.9% share.

In South Africa, cored arc-welding wire exports declined by an average annual rate of -2.7% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Zambia (+66.9% per year) and Mozambique (+27.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 18% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, continues to indicate a mild descent. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when the export price increased by 26% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was South Africa ($X per ton), while Botswana ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mozambique (+8.1%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Cored Arc-Welding Wire Imports

Imports in SADC

In 2021, supplies from abroad of cored arc-welding wire increased by 18% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after three years of decline. Overall, imports, however, saw a perceptible downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when imports increased by 33%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cored arc-welding wire imports soared to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a pronounced slump. The level of import peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

South Africa prevails in imports structure, amounting to X tons, which was approx. 82% of total imports in 2021. The following importers - Angola (X tons), Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons), Tanzania (X tons) and Zimbabwe (X tons) - together made up 13% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to cored arc-welding wire imports into South Africa stood at -3.6%. At the same time, Democratic Republic of the Congo (+18.9%) and Zimbabwe (+6.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Democratic Republic of the Congo emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in SADC, with a CAGR of +18.9% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Angola (-10.0%) and Tanzania (-13.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Democratic Republic of the Congo (+2.9 p.p.) and South Africa (+2.6 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Angola (-3.5 p.p.) and Tanzania (-4.2 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported cored arc-welding wire in SADC, comprising 78% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Angola ($X), with a 6.6% share of total imports. It was followed by Democratic Republic of the Congo, with a 3.9% share.

In South Africa, cored arc-welding wire imports shrank by an average annual rate of -4.1% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Angola (-12.0% per year) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (+7.5% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in SADC amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the import price increased by 31%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Angola ($X per ton), while Zimbabwe ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Tanzania (+5.9%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform