South Africa: Ferro-Alloys Market 2024

Ferro-Alloys Market Size in South Africa

The South African ferro-alloys market dropped remarkably to $X in 2023, reducing by X% against the previous year. Overall, consumption saw a perceptible shrinkage. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2023, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Ferro-Alloys Production in South Africa

In value terms, ferro-alloys production reached $X in 2023 estimated in export price. In general, production recorded a slight setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of X%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2023, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Ferro-Alloys Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2023, approx. X tons of ferro-alloys were exported from South Africa; growing by X% compared with the previous year's figure. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of X% from 2012 to 2023; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when exports increased by X%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2023, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, ferro-alloys exports rose sharply to $X in 2023. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of X% over the period from 2012 to 2023; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by X% against the previous year. The exports peaked in 2023 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

China (X tons), Mozambique (X tons) and Belgium (X tons) were the main destinations of ferro-alloys exports from South Africa, with a combined X% share of total exports. Indonesia, the United States, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, Italy, South Korea, Spain, Finland, the Netherlands and Taiwan (Chinese) lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further X%.

From 2012 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Indonesia (with a CAGR of X%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($X), Mozambique ($X) and Belgium ($X) constituted the largest markets for ferro-alloys exported from South Africa worldwide, with a combined X% share of total exports. Indonesia, the United States, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands, Italy, Finland, South Korea, Spain and Taiwan (Chinese) lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further X%.

Among the main countries of destination, Indonesia, with a CAGR of X%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to 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

In 2023, the average ferro-alloys export price amounted to $X per ton, which is down by X% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average export price increased by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2022, and then shrank in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the Netherlands (X%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Ferro-Alloys Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2023, overseas purchases of ferro-alloys decreased by X% to X tons for the first time since 2020, thus ending a two-year rising trend. In general, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of X% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2023, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, ferro-alloys imports contracted significantly to $X in 2023. Overall, imports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2023, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2023, Zambia (X tons) constituted the largest ferro-alloys supplier to South Africa, with a X% share of total imports. Moreover, ferro-alloys imports from Zambia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, China (X tons), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Brazil (X tons), with a X% share.

From 2012 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of volume from Zambia totaled X%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: China (X% per year) and Brazil (X% per year).

In value terms, Brazil ($X) constituted the largest supplier of ferro-alloys to South Africa, comprising X% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Zambia ($X), with a X% share of total imports. It was followed by China, with a X% share.

From 2012 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of value from Brazil totaled X%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Zambia (X% per year) and China (X% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average ferro-alloys import price stood at $X per ton in 2023, falling by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import price indicated a slight expansion from 2012 to 2023: its price increased at an average annual rate of X% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 an increase of X%. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2022, and then reduced in the following year.

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

From 2012 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Dominican Republic (X%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform