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South Africa - Nitrates (Excluding Those Of Potassium) - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights
Report Update: May 1, 2025

South Africa - Nitrates (Excluding Those Of Potassium) - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights

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Feb 2, 2025

South Africa Experiences Significant Drop in Nitrates Exports to $6 Million in 2024

South Africa Nitrates Exports

In 2024, exports of nitrates (excluding those of potassium) from South Africa dropped significantly to 4K tons, declining by -94% compared with 2023. Over the period under review, exports saw a deep downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2023 with an increase of 1,244% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of 67K tons, and then shrank markedly in the following year.

In value terms, nitrates exports reduced sharply to $6M (IndexBox estimates) in 2024. Overall, exports showed a noticeable downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2023 with an increase of 1,477%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $96M, and then fell markedly in the following year.South Africa Nitrates Exports By Country (Million USD)

COUNTRYExport Value of Nitrates in South Africa (million USD)
20142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
Zambia3.85.13.10.10.10.10.1N/AN/A5.62.8
GhanaN/A0.3N/A0.30.40.91.13.73.01.31.3
Namibia0.92.00.7N/A0.2N/A0.1N/A0.20.90.5
SenegalN/AN/AN/A0.10.50.31.60.41.20.20.3
MaliN/A0.1N/AN/A0.61.51.10.30.60.60.3
MauritaniaN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0.10.1N/A0.10.40.2
KenyaN/AN/AN/AN/A0.40.60.40.40.30.30.2
United KingdomN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0.5N/AN/A78.0N/A
United StatesN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A3.16.7N/AN/AN/AN/A
MalaysiaN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A6.4N/A
Argentina0.81.61.60.40.8N/AN/AN/A0.20.9N/A
Others2.02.70.92.12.62.91.30.50.51.00.4
Total7.511.86.33.05.79.412.85.36.195.66.0

Exports by Country

Zambia (2.6K tons) was the main destination for nitrates exports from South Africa, accounting for a 64% share of total exports. Moreover, nitrates exports to Zambia exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Ghana (390 tons), sevenfold. Senegal (334 tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with an 8.3% share.

From 2014 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of volume to Zambia amounted to -11.8%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Ghana (+99.6% per year) and Senegal (+40.7% per year).

In value terms, Zambia ($2.8M) emerged as the key foreign market for nitrates (excluding those of potassium) exports from South Africa, comprising 47% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Ghana ($1.3M), with a 22% share of total exports. It was followed by Namibia, with a 7.8% share.

From 2014 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Zambia totaled -2.9%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Ghana (+112.5% per year) and Namibia (-6.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2024, the nitrates price amounted to $1,493 per ton (FOB, South Africa), picking up by 4.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price recorded a resilient expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when the average export price increased by 51%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $1,539 per ton. From 2020 to 2024, the average export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Ghana ($3,351 per ton), while the average price for exports to Senegal ($889 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2014 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Mauritania (+38.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the nitrates 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 20134210 - Nitrates (excluding those of potassium)

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:

  1. How to diversify your business and benefit from new market opportunities
  2. How to load your idle production capacity
  3. How to boost your sales on overseas markets
  4. How to increase your profit margins
  5. How to make your supply chain more sustainable
  6. How to reduce your production and supply chain costs
  7. How to outsource production to other countries
  8. 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. 1. INTRODUCTION

    Making Data-Driven Decisions to Grow Your Business

    1. REPORT DESCRIPTION
    2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND THE AI PLATFORM
    3. DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
    4. GLOSSARY AND SPECIFIC TERMS

  2. 2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

    A Quick Overview of Market Performance

    1. KEY FINDINGS
    2. MARKET TRENDSThis Chapter is Available Only for the Professional EditionPRO

  3. 3. MARKET OVERVIEW

    Understanding the Current State of The Market and its Prospects

    1. MARKET SIZE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    2. MARKET STRUCTURE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    3. TRADE BALANCE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    4. PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    5. MARKET FORECAST TO 2035

  4. 4. MOST PROMISING PRODUCTS FOR DIVERSIFICATION

    Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business

    1. TOP PRODUCTS TO DIVERSIFY YOUR BUSINESS
    2. BEST-SELLING PRODUCTS
    3. MOST CONSUMED PRODUCTS
    4. MOST TRADED PRODUCTS
    5. MOST PROFITABLE PRODUCTS FOR EXPORTS

  5. 5. MOST PROMISING SUPPLYING COUNTRIES

    Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain

    1. TOP COUNTRIES TO SOURCE YOUR PRODUCT
    2. TOP PRODUCING COUNTRIES
    3. TOP EXPORTING COUNTRIES
    4. LOW-COST EXPORTING COUNTRIES

  6. 6. MOST PROMISING OVERSEAS MARKETS

    Choosing the Best Countries to Boost Your Export

    1. TOP OVERSEAS MARKETS FOR EXPORTING YOUR PRODUCT
    2. TOP CONSUMING MARKETS
    3. UNSATURATED MARKETS
    4. TOP IMPORTING MARKETS
    5. MOST PROFITABLE MARKETS

  7. 7. PRODUCTION

    The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry

    1. PRODUCTION VOLUME AND VALUE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)

  8. 8. IMPORTS

    The Largest Import Supplying Countries

    1. IMPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    2. IMPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)
    3. IMPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)

  9. 9. EXPORTS

    The Largest Destinations for Exports

    1. EXPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    2. EXPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)
    3. EXPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)

  10. 10. PROFILES OF MAJOR PRODUCERS

    The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles

  11. LIST OF TABLES

    1. Key Findings In 2024
    2. Market Volume, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    3. Market Value: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    4. Per Capita Consumption: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    5. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    6. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    7. Import Prices, By Country, 2012–2024
    8. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    9. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    10. Export Prices, By Country, 2012–2024

  12. LIST OF FIGURES

    1. Market Volume, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    2. Market Value: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    3. Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, in Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    4. Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, in Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    5. Trade Balance, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    6. Trade Balance, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    7. Per Capita Consumption: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    8. Market Volume Forecast to 2035
    9. Market Value Forecast to 2035
    10. Market Size and Growth, By Product
    11. Average Per Capita Consumption, By Product
    12. Exports and Growth, By Product
    13. Export Prices and Growth, By Product
    14. Production Volume and Growth
    15. Exports and Growth
    16. Export Prices and Growth
    17. Market Size and Growth
    18. Per Capita Consumption
    19. Imports and Growth
    20. Import Prices
    21. Production, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    22. Production, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    23. Imports, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    24. Imports, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    25. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
    26. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    27. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    28. Import Prices, By Country, 2012–2024
    29. Exports, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    30. Exports, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    31. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
    32. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    33. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    34. Export Prices, By Country, 2012–2024

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