SADC: Metal Chain Market 2025

Metal Chain Market Size in SADC

In 2022, the SADC metal chain market increased by 3.8% to $X, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. Overall, consumption showed a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Metal Chain Production in SADC

In value terms, metal chain production declined to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the production volume increased by 24% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Metal Chain Exports

Exports in SADC

After two years of growth, shipments abroad of iron or steel chain decreased by -14.4% to X tons in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a pronounced increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 172% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, metal chain exports rose notably to $X in 2022. Overall, exports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by 66%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

The shipments of the one major exporters of iron or steel chain, namely South Africa, represented more than two-thirds of total export.

South Africa was also the fastest-growing in terms of the iron or steel chain exports, with a CAGR of +3.2% from 2012 to 2022. From 2012 to 2022, the share of South Africa increased by +8.3 percentage points, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) also remains the largest metal chain supplier in SADC.

In South Africa, metal chain exports remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2022, rising by 26% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, recorded a perceptible curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 an increase of 44% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

As there is only one major export destination, the average price level is determined by prices for South Africa.

From 2012 to 2022, the rate of growth in terms of prices for South Africa amounted to -3.8% per year.

Metal Chain Imports

Imports in SADC

In 2022, overseas purchases of iron or steel chain increased by 27% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2014; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

In value terms, metal chain imports surged to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of import peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

South Africa represented the major importer of iron or steel chain in SADC, with the volume of imports recording X tons, which was near 55% of total imports in 2022. Tanzania (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 12% share, followed by Mozambique (9.7%) and Zimbabwe (5.4%). Namibia (X tons), Angola (X tons) and Zambia (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into South Africa increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Mozambique (+25.6%) and Namibia (+2.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Mozambique emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in SADC, with a CAGR of +25.6% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Zimbabwe (-1.4%), Tanzania (-1.6%), Zambia (-7.3%) and Angola (-8.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of South Africa and Mozambique increased by +11 and +8.5 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported iron or steel chain in SADC, comprising 57% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Mozambique ($X), with an 8.1% share of total imports. It was followed by Zimbabwe, with a 5.4% share.

In South Africa, metal chain imports remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Mozambique (+18.4% per year) and Zimbabwe (-3.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2022, dropping by -1.8% against the previous year. In general, the import price recorded a perceptible slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 an increase of 11%. Over the period under review, import prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Angola ($X per ton), while Tanzania ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Angola (+8.1%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform