South Africa: Tin Bar Market 2025

Tin Bar Market Size in South Africa

For the fourth year in a row, the South African tin bar market recorded decline in sales value, which decreased by -27.7% to $X in 2022. In general, consumption saw a deep slump. Tin bar consumption peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Tin Bar Exports

Exports from South Africa

After three years of decline, overseas shipments of tin bars, rods, profiles and wires increased by 89% to X tons in 2022. In general, exports, however, recorded a deep setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 562%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, tin bar exports shrank sharply to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, recorded a sharp decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when exports increased by 181% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Nigeria (X tons) was the main destination for tin bar exports from South Africa, with a 92% share of total exports. Moreover, tin bar exports to Nigeria exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Botswana (X kg), more than tenfold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to Nigeria totaled -6.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Botswana (+32.5% per year) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (-60.8% per year).

In value terms, Nigeria ($X) emerged as the key foreign market for tin bars, rods, profiles and wires exports from South Africa, comprising 71% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Botswana ($X), with a 29% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to Nigeria amounted to -17.5%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Botswana (+34.8% per year) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (-66.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average tin bar export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, declining by -70.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price recorded a dramatic setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the average export price increased by 107% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, 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 Botswana ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Nigeria ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Botswana (+1.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Tin Bar Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2022, purchases abroad of tin bars, rods, profiles and wires increased by 827% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. In general, imports, however, recorded a deep downturn. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, tin bar imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a abrupt decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 614% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, China (X tons) constituted the largest tin bar supplier to South Africa, with a 78% share of total imports. Moreover, tin bar imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Japan (X tons), sevenfold. Spain (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 7.8% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from China totaled +68.6%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Japan (+211.7% per year) and Spain (+28.9% per year).

In value terms, the largest tin bar suppliers to South Africa were Japan ($X), Spain ($X) and China ($X), together comprising 86% of total imports.

In terms of the main suppliers, Japan, with a CAGR of +190.8%, 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

In 2022, the average tin bar import price amounted to $X per ton, falling by -25.7% against the previous year. In general, the import price continues to indicate a deep slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the average import price increased by 429%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2021 to 2022, the average import prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Lesotho (+87.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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