South Africa: Market for Hot-Rolled Steel Bars and Rods 2025

Market Size for Hot-Rolled Steel Bars and Rods in South Africa

In 2021, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in the South African market for hot-rolled steel bars and rods, when its value increased by 8.7% to $X. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.0% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Production of Hot-Rolled Steel Bars and Rods in South Africa

In value terms, hot-rolled steel bar and rod production expanded notably to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 15% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports of Hot-Rolled Steel Bars and Rods

Exports from South Africa

Hot-rolled steel bar and rod exports from South Africa stood at X tons in 2021, growing by 8.8% compared with the previous year. Overall, exports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 52%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, hot-rolled steel bar and rod exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, saw a mild decline. The exports peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Mozambique (X tons) was the main destination for hot-rolled steel bar and rod exports from South Africa, accounting for a 29% share of total exports. Moreover, hot-rolled steel bar and rod exports to Mozambique exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Kenya (X tons), threefold. Tanzania (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to Mozambique amounted to +6.8%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Kenya (-2.4% per year) and Tanzania (-0.7% per year).

In value terms, Mozambique ($X) remains the key foreign market for hot-rolled steel bars and rods exports from South Africa, comprising 29% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Botswana ($X), with a 9.8% share of total exports. It was followed by Zimbabwe, with a 9.3% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to Mozambique amounted to +6.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Botswana (+7.4% per year) and Zimbabwe (+1.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average export price for hot-rolled steel bars and rods stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 49% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Uganda ($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 the United States (+19.9%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Imports of Hot-Rolled Steel Bars and Rods

Imports into South Africa

Hot-rolled steel bar and rod imports into South Africa shrank to X tons in 2021, with a decrease of -9.1% compared with the previous year. Over the period under review, imports recorded a deep setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 37% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, hot-rolled steel bar and rod imports surged to $X in 2021. Overall, imports recorded a abrupt decline. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, China (X tons) constituted the largest hot-rolled steel bar and rod supplier to South Africa, with a 63% share of total imports. Moreover, hot-rolled steel bar and rod imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Italy (X tons), fivefold. Botswana (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with an 8.2% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from China totaled -8.6%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Italy (+2.0% per year) and Botswana (+30.7% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) constituted the largest supplier of hot-rolled steel bars and rods to South Africa, comprising 53% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Italy ($X), with an 18% share of total imports. It was followed by Botswana, with a 6.1% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from China amounted to -6.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Italy (+0.6% per year) and Botswana (+31.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average import price for hot-rolled steel bars and rods stood at $X per ton in 2021, with an increase of 40% against the previous year. Overall, the import price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, import 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 importers, the country with the highest price was India ($X per ton), while the price for Zambia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by India (+4.2%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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