South Africa: Hot-Rolled Free-Cutting Steel Market 2025

Hot-Rolled Free-Cutting Steel Market Size in South Africa

The South African hot-rolled free-cutting steel market shrank sharply to $X in 2021, which is down by -20.7% against the previous year. Overall, consumption saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2020, and then shrank remarkably in the following year.

Hot-Rolled Free-Cutting Steel Production in South Africa

In value terms, hot-rolled free-cutting steel production reached $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the production volume increased by 25%. Hot-rolled free-cutting steel production peaked at $X in 2019; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

Hot-Rolled Free-Cutting Steel Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2021, overseas shipments of hot-rolled bars in free-cutting steels were finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a mild shrinkage. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, hot-rolled free-cutting steel exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. In general, exports saw a resilient expansion. The exports peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons) was the main destination for hot-rolled free-cutting steel exports from South Africa, with a 37% share of total exports. Moreover, hot-rolled free-cutting steel exports to Democratic Republic of the Congo exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Mauritius (X tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Mozambique (X tons), with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Democratic Republic of the Congo stood at +107.1%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Mauritius (+0.5% per year) and Mozambique (-0.2% per year).

In value terms, Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X) emerged as the key foreign market for hot-rolled bars in free-cutting steels exports from South Africa, comprising 39% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Mauritius ($X), with an 18% share of total exports. It was followed by Mozambique, with a 16% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to Democratic Republic of the Congo totaled +91.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Mauritius (+9.1% per year) and Mozambique (+8.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average hot-rolled free-cutting steel export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, increasing by 25% against the previous year. In general, export price indicated strong growth from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +6.3% over the last nine-year period. 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 +103.1% against 2016 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the average export price increased by 41%. The export price peaked in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Mozambique ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Tanzania ($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 Zimbabwe (+13.4%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Hot-Rolled Free-Cutting Steel Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2021, the amount of hot-rolled bars in free-cutting steels imported into South Africa shrank rapidly to X tons, falling by -56.5% compared with 2020. Over the period under review, imports faced a abrupt descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 150%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, hot-rolled free-cutting steel imports reduced rapidly to $X in 2021. Overall, imports saw a drastic downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 151%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

China (X tons), Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons) and Zambia (X kg) were the main suppliers of hot-rolled free-cutting steel imports to South Africa, together comprising 98% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Taiwan (Chinese) (with a CAGR of -6.1%), while imports for the other leaders experienced a decline.

In value terms, China ($X), Taiwan (Chinese) ($X) and Zambia ($X) constituted the largest hot-rolled free-cutting steel suppliers to South Africa, together accounting for 93% of total imports.

Taiwan (Chinese), with a CAGR of -6.2%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced a decline.

Import Prices by Country

The average hot-rolled free-cutting steel import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 9.1% against the previous year. Over the last nine-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.8%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the average import price increased by 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the peak figure in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Zambia ($X per ton), while the price for China ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Zambia (+34.1%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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