Imports Primary Products
Leadership, strategy, and steel industry advocacy
About Steel
Steel is the world’s most important engineering and construction material. It is used in every aspect of our lives; in cars and construction products, refrigerators and washing machines, cargo ships and surgical scalpels. It can be recycled repeatedly without loss of property.
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Latest Trade News
Steel Sector Business Confidence Index – Q2 2022
Overview
Update
South Africa Steel Imports (Jan–Oct 2025)
South Africa’s steel imports reached 1.35 million tonnes in 2025, reflecting a 7% increase on 2024 and a 21% rise compared with 2023. The most notable change is the significant growth in billets, blooms & slabs, which expanded from minimal volumes in 2024 to over 156,000 tonnes in 2025, pointing to greater upstream sourcing. Flat products continue to account for the bulk of imports, with galvanised and coated sheet volumes rising, while HR coil imports declined. Imports of sections and bars show mixed trends: steady increase for bars, rods, and HR sections, but a sharp fall in wire rod. Overall, the data highlights both growing reliance on imports.
