Tanzania: Metal Wool Market 2025

Metal Wool Market Size in Tanzania

The Tanzanian metal wool market reduced remarkably to $X in 2022, with a decrease of -61.8% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Overall, consumption continues to indicate a mild slump. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Metal Wool Exports

Exports from Tanzania

In 2022, shipments abroad of iron or steel wool decreased by -39.7% to X kg, falling for the third year in a row after five years of growth. Overall, exports, however, showed a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 139%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, metal wool exports reduced to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, recorded a strong expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 211%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2021, and then declined in the following year.

Exports by Country

Zambia (X kg), Kenya (X kg) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (X kg) were the main destinations of metal wool exports from Tanzania, with a combined 86% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Zambia (with a CAGR of +35.9%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X), Zambia ($X) and Kenya ($X) appeared to be the largest markets for metal wool exported from Tanzania worldwide, with a combined 75% share of total exports.

Among the main countries of destination, Zambia, with a CAGR of +88.1%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average metal wool export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, increasing by 42% against the previous year. Over the period under review, export price indicated tangible growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, metal wool export price increased by +29.6% against 2018 indices. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2014; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Zambia ($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 Zambia (+38.4%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Metal Wool Imports

Imports into Tanzania

In 2022, approx. X tons of iron or steel wool were imported into Tanzania; which is down by -64.4% against 2021. Overall, imports continue to indicate a pronounced shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 237% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons, and then dropped rapidly in the following year.

In value terms, metal wool imports reduced remarkably to $X in 2022. In general, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when imports increased by 227%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, China (X tons) constituted the largest metal wool supplier to Tanzania, with a 67% share of total imports. Moreover, metal wool imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Kenya (X tons), fivefold. India (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from China totaled +2.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Kenya (-8.5% per year) and India (-10.9% per year).

In value terms, China ($X), Kenya ($X) and India ($X) appeared to be the largest metal wool suppliers to Tanzania, together comprising 85% of total imports. South Africa and Egypt lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 7.8%.

South Africa, with a CAGR of +6.6%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

Import Prices by Country

The average metal wool import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, surging by 12% against the previous year. Overall, import price indicated a pronounced increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of 57%. The import price peaked 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 supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Kenya ($X per ton), while the price for Egypt ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Kenya (+7.4%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform