SADC: Hot-Rolled Free-Cutting Steel Market 2025

Hot-Rolled Free-Cutting Steel Market Size in SADC

In 2021, the SADC hot-rolled free-cutting steel market decreased by -1.2% to $X, falling for the third consecutive year after four years of growth. Overall, consumption showed a perceptible decrease. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Hot-Rolled Free-Cutting Steel Production in SADC

In value terms, hot-rolled free-cutting steel production totaled $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the production volume increased by 16% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Hot-Rolled Free-Cutting Steel Exports

Exports in SADC

In 2021, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in shipments abroad of hot-rolled bars in free-cutting steels, when their volume increased by 211% to X tons. In general, exports, however, recorded a slight decline. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, hot-rolled free-cutting steel exports soared to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports showed tangible growth. The level of export peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

South Africa represented the largest exporting country with an export of around X tons, which recorded 72% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Angola (X tons), creating a 25% share of total exports. Botswana (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Exports from South Africa decreased at an average annual rate of -1.1% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Angola (+53.7%) and Botswana (+10.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Angola emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in SADC, with a CAGR of +53.7% from 2012-2021. Angola (+25 p.p.) and South Africa (+3.1 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) remains the largest hot-rolled free-cutting steel supplier in SADC, comprising 85% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Angola ($X), with a 14% share of total exports.

In South Africa, hot-rolled free-cutting steel exports increased at an average annual rate of +5.2% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Angola (+51.0% per year) and Botswana (+15.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2021, increasing by 9.2% against the previous year. Export price indicated a moderate expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.6% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, hot-rolled free-cutting steel export price increased by +73.3% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 32%. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: 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 South Africa (+6.3%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Hot-Rolled Free-Cutting Steel Imports

Imports in SADC

In 2021, imports of hot-rolled bars in free-cutting steels in SADC was estimated at X tons, growing by 3.2% compared with the year before. Overall, imports, however, recorded a abrupt decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 38%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, hot-rolled free-cutting steel imports soared to $X in 2021. In general, imports, however, saw a abrupt setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when imports increased by 78%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Mauritius (X tons), distantly followed by Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons), Mozambique (X tons), Tanzania (X tons), Zambia (X tons) and Seychelles (X tons) were the key importers of hot-rolled bars in free-cutting steels, together comprising 80% of total imports. Swaziland (X tons), Botswana (X tons), Angola (X tons), Zimbabwe (X tons), South Africa (X tons) and Comoros (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Democratic Republic of the Congo (with a CAGR of +24.5%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest hot-rolled free-cutting steel importing markets in SADC were Mauritius ($X), Tanzania ($X) and Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X), with a combined 50% share of total imports.

Among the main importing countries, Democratic Republic of the Congo, with a CAGR of +22.1%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, 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 26% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the import price increased by 31%. Over the period under review, import prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Zimbabwe ($X per ton), while Angola ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Seychelles (+5.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform