South Africa: Aluminium Bar Market 2025

Aluminium Bar Market Size in South Africa

In 2021, after three years of decline, there was significant growth in the South African aluminium bar market, when its value increased by 45% to $X. Overall, the total consumption indicated a buoyant increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +10.9% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Aluminium Bar Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2021, the amount of aluminium bars, rods and profiles exported from South Africa shrank to X tons, waning by -9.5% on 2020. Overall, exports saw a pronounced decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when exports increased by 88% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, aluminium bar exports expanded rapidly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a perceptible setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 41% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Zimbabwe (X tons) was the main destination for aluminium bar exports from South Africa, with a 37% share of total exports. Moreover, aluminium bar exports to Zimbabwe exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Swaziland (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Zambia (X tons), with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to Zimbabwe amounted to -4.9%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Swaziland (+0.2% per year) and Zambia (-2.3% per year).

In value terms, the largest markets for aluminium bar exported from South Africa were Zimbabwe ($X), Zambia ($X) and Swaziland ($X), with a combined 52% share of total exports. Botswana, Malawi, Lesotho, Namibia and Mozambique lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 28%.

Malawi, with a CAGR of +34.1%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average aluminium bar export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 19% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the average export price increased by 55% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2012; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Zambia ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Zimbabwe ($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 Malawi (+5.9%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Aluminium Bar Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2021, imports of aluminium bars, rods and profiles into South Africa soared to X tons, increasing by 30% against 2020 figures. In general, total imports indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +11.1% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, aluminium bar imports surged to $X in 2021. Overall, total imports indicated resilient growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +8.9% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2021, China (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of aluminium bar to South Africa, with a 87% share of total imports. Moreover, aluminium bar imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Mauritius (X tons), more than tenfold.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from China stood at +13.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Mauritius (+233.0% per year) and India (+15.8% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) constituted the largest supplier of aluminium bars, rods and profiles to South Africa, comprising 84% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Mauritius ($X), with a 5.2% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from China amounted to +12.0%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Mauritius (+224.6% per year) and India (+12.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average aluminium bar import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, increasing by 11% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, showed a mild decline. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Mauritius ($X per ton), while the price for India ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Macao SAR (-1.1%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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