Uganda: Metal Wool Market 2025

Metal Wool Market Size in Uganda

In 2022, the Ugandan metal wool market increased by 16% to $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Over the period under review, the total consumption indicated a modest increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption decreased by -31.1% against 2018 indices. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Metal Wool Exports

Exports from Uganda

After three years of growth, overseas shipments of iron or steel wool decreased by -20.6% to X tons in 2022. Overall, exports saw a deep setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when exports increased by 930%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, metal wool exports reduced to $X in 2022. In general, exports recorded a significant decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 768%. The exports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Rwanda (X kg), Sudan (X kg) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (X kg) were the main destinations of metal wool exports from Uganda, with a combined 74% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Democratic Republic of the Congo (with a CAGR of -0.2%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced a decline.

In value terms, Rwanda ($X) remains the key foreign market for iron or steel wool exports from Uganda, comprising 77% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X), with a 10% share of total exports. It was followed by South Sudan, with a 5.1% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Rwanda totaled -22.7%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Democratic Republic of the Congo (-15.0% per year) and South Sudan (-28.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average metal wool export price amounted to $X per ton, rising by 11% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, showed a deep downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the average export price increased by 15%. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Rwanda ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Sudan ($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 Rwanda (+1.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Metal Wool Imports

Imports into Uganda

In 2022, approx. X tons of iron or steel wool were imported into Uganda; picking up by 25% compared with the year before. In general, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 82% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, metal wool imports rose sharply to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a slight increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports decreased by -31.2% against 2018 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 108% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Kenya (X tons) constituted the largest metal wool supplier to Uganda, with a 83% share of total imports. Moreover, metal wool imports from Kenya exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, China (X tons), more than tenfold. Egypt (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 3.5% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from Kenya stood at +1.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: China (-2.2% per year) and Egypt (+13.1% per year).

In value terms, Kenya ($X) constituted the largest supplier of iron or steel wool to Uganda, comprising 74% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by China ($X), with a 14% share of total imports. It was followed by Egypt, with a 6% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from Kenya was relatively modest. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: China (+14.8% per year) and Egypt (+21.6% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average metal wool import price amounted to $X per ton, which is down by -9.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the average import price increased by 25% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2017 to 2022, the average import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while the price for Kenya ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+17.4%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform