South Africa - Ferro-Silicon - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights
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View PricingSouth African Ferro-Silicon Breaks Export Record With $75M in 2023
South Africa Ferro-Silicon Exports
In 2023, overseas shipments of ferro-silicon increased by 3.4% to 49K tons, rising for the second consecutive year after three years of decline. Overall, total exports indicated a notable increase from 2013 to 2023: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2023 figures, exports increased by +30.2% against 2021 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when exports increased by 45%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at 56K tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2023, the exports remained at a lower figure.
In value terms, ferro-silicon exports totaled $75M (IndexBox estimates) in 2023. In general, total exports indicated tangible growth from 2013 to 2023: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2023 figures, exports increased by +43.8% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when exports increased by 31% against the previous year. The exports peaked in 2023 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.
| COUNTRY | Export Value of Ferro-Silicon in South Africa (million USD) | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
| India | 1.7 | 2.8 | 4.2 | 5.8 | 7.2 | 8.4 | 8.7 | 7.0 | 6.7 | 6.7 | 15.4 |
| Spain | 1.0 | 1.7 | 3.7 | 2.8 | 2.0 | 3.3 | 1.9 | 1.8 | 1.3 | 2.8 | 7.1 |
| Botswana | 8.9 | 7.8 | 6.1 | 4.4 | 6.9 | 6.8 | 9.0 | 9.3 | 6.7 | 7.5 | 6.8 |
| Germany | 0.3 | 1.4 | 4.0 | 3.3 | 5.6 | 5.3 | 3.5 | 1.9 | 2.7 | 4.0 | 5.8 |
| Australia | 5.4 | 7.6 | 6.8 | 7.3 | 5.0 | 10.9 | 7.2 | 5.1 | 7.0 | 10.1 | 5.1 |
| Zimbabwe | 4.0 | 2.4 | 2.1 | 0.7 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 2.0 | 5.0 |
| Namibia | 2.9 | 2.6 | 2.7 | 2.5 | 2.9 | 3.4 | 3.2 | 2.5 | 2.7 | 3.7 | 4.1 |
| United States | 2.5 | 5.1 | 15.7 | 3.9 | 5.8 | 8.1 | 5.5 | 6.3 | 7.1 | 6.9 | 3.7 |
| Russia | 3.2 | 1.8 | 4.4 | 1.8 | 2.1 | 3.9 | 2.6 | 2.7 | 3.8 | 3.4 | 2.4 |
| Others | 20.4 | 25.4 | 18.9 | 13.3 | 18.0 | 22.9 | 17.1 | 14.3 | 18.4 | 24.4 | 19.6 |
| Total | 50.3 | 58.6 | 68.5 | 45.7 | 56.8 | 74.3 | 59.7 | 52.1 | 57.5 | 71.5 | 74.9 |
Exports by Country
Botswana (6K tons), India (4.8K tons) and Australia (4.2K tons) were the main destinations of ferro-silicon exports from South Africa, together accounting for 31% of total exports. Zimbabwe, Spain, Namibia, Germany, Russia and the United States lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 38%.
From 2013 to 2023, the biggest increases were recorded for Germany (with a CAGR of +37.1%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, India ($15M) emerged as the key foreign market for ferro-silicon exports from South Africa, comprising 21% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Spain ($7.1M), with a 9.5% share of total exports. It was followed by Botswana, with a 9% share.
From 2013 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of value to India stood at +24.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Spain (+21.9% per year) and Botswana (-2.7% per year).
Exports by Type
Ferro-alloys; ferro-silicon, containing by weight 55% or less of silicon (33K tons) was the largest type of ferro-silicon exported from South Africa, with a 68% share of total exports. Moreover, ferro-alloys; ferro-silicon, containing by weight 55% or less of silicon exceeded the volume of the second product type, ferro-alloys; ferro-silicon, containing by weight more than 55% of silicon (16K tons), twofold.
From 2013 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of the volume of ferro-alloys; ferro-silicon, containing by weight 55% or less of silicon exports totaled +2.5%.
In value terms, ferro-alloys; ferro-silicon, containing by weight 55% or less of silicon ($39M) and ferro-alloys; ferro-silicon, containing by weight more than 55% of silicon ($36M) constituted the most exported types of ferro-silicon from South Africa worldwide.
Ferro-alloys; ferro-silicon, containing by weight more than 55% of silicon, with a CAGR of +11.7%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main product categories over the period under review.
Export Prices by Country
In 2023, the ferro-silicon price stood at $1,545 per ton (FOB, South Africa), remaining constant against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 22%. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $1,596 per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2023, the export prices failed to regain momentum.
Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was India ($3,196 per ton), while the average price for exports to the Netherlands ($1,090 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to India (+3.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.
This report provides an in-depth analysis of the ferro-silicon market in South Africa. Within it, you will discover the latest data on market trends and opportunities by country, consumption, production and price developments, as well as the global trade (imports and exports). The forecast exhibits the market prospects through 2030.
Product coverage:
- Prodcom 24101230 - Ferro-silicon
- Prodcom 24101235 -
- Prodcom 24101236 -
- Prodcom 24101239 -
Country coverage:
- South Africa
Data coverage:
- Market volume and value
- Per Capita consumption
- Forecast of the market dynamics in the medium term
- Trade (exports and imports) in South Africa
- Export and import prices
- Market trends, drivers and restraints
- Key market players and their profiles
Reasons to buy this report:
- Take advantage of the latest data
- Find deeper insights into current market developments
- Discover vital success factors affecting the market
This report is designed for manufacturers, distributors, importers, and wholesalers, as well as for investors, consultants and advisors.
In this report, you can find information that helps you to make informed decisions on the following issues:
- How to diversify your business and benefit from new market opportunities
- How to load your idle production capacity
- How to boost your sales on overseas markets
- How to increase your profit margins
- How to make your supply chain more sustainable
- How to reduce your production and supply chain costs
- How to outsource production to other countries
- How to prepare your business for global expansion
While doing this research, we combine the accumulated expertise of our analysts and the capabilities of artificial intelligence. The AI-based platform, developed by our data scientists, constitutes the key working tool for business analysts, empowering them to discover deep insights and ideas from the marketing data.
1. INTRODUCTION
Making Data-Driven Decisions to Grow Your Business
- REPORT DESCRIPTION
- RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND THE AI PLATFORM
- DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
- GLOSSARY AND SPECIFIC TERMS
2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
A Quick Overview of Market Performance
- KEY FINDINGS
- MARKET TRENDSThis Chapter is Available Only for the Professional EditionPRO
3. MARKET OVERVIEW
Understanding the Current State of The Market and its Prospects
- MARKET SIZE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
- MARKET STRUCTURE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
- TRADE BALANCE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
- PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
- MARKET FORECAST TO 2035
4. MOST PROMISING PRODUCTS FOR DIVERSIFICATION
Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business
- TOP PRODUCTS TO DIVERSIFY YOUR BUSINESS
- BEST-SELLING PRODUCTS
- MOST CONSUMED PRODUCTS
- MOST TRADED PRODUCTS
- MOST PROFITABLE PRODUCTS FOR EXPORTS
5. MOST PROMISING SUPPLYING COUNTRIES
Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain
- TOP COUNTRIES TO SOURCE YOUR PRODUCT
- TOP PRODUCING COUNTRIES
- TOP EXPORTING COUNTRIES
- LOW-COST EXPORTING COUNTRIES
6. MOST PROMISING OVERSEAS MARKETS
Choosing the Best Countries to Boost Your Export
- TOP OVERSEAS MARKETS FOR EXPORTING YOUR PRODUCT
- TOP CONSUMING MARKETS
- UNSATURATED MARKETS
- TOP IMPORTING MARKETS
- MOST PROFITABLE MARKETS
7. PRODUCTION
The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry
- PRODUCTION VOLUME AND VALUE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
8. IMPORTS
The Largest Import Supplying Countries
- IMPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
- IMPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)
- IMPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)
9. EXPORTS
The Largest Destinations for Exports
- EXPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
- EXPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)
- EXPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)
10. PROFILES OF MAJOR PRODUCERS
The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles
LIST OF TABLES
- Key Findings In 2024
- Market Volume, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
- Market Value: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
- Per Capita Consumption: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
- Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Import Prices, By Country, 2012–2024
- Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Export Prices, By Country, 2012–2024
LIST OF FIGURES
- Market Volume, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
- Market Value: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
- Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, in Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
- Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, in Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
- Trade Balance, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
- Trade Balance, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
- Per Capita Consumption: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
- Market Volume Forecast to 2035
- Market Value Forecast to 2035
- Market Size and Growth, By Product
- Average Per Capita Consumption, By Product
- Exports and Growth, By Product
- Export Prices and Growth, By Product
- Production Volume and Growth
- Exports and Growth
- Export Prices and Growth
- Market Size and Growth
- Per Capita Consumption
- Imports and Growth
- Import Prices
- Production, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
- Production, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
- Imports, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
- Imports, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
- Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
- Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Import Prices, By Country, 2012–2024
- Exports, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
- Exports, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
- Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
- Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Export Prices, By Country, 2012–2024
