Africa: Market for Antimony and Articles Thereof 2025

Market Size for Antimony and Articles Thereof in Africa

In 2022, the African antimony and articles thereof market decreased by -2.2% to $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year rising trend. The total consumption indicated pronounced growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +79.6% against 2018 indices. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2021, and then contracted in the following year.

Production of Antimony and Articles Thereof in Africa

In value terms, antimony and articles thereof production shrank modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total production indicated perceptible growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production increased by +5.3% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when the production volume increased by 38% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the maximum level at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Exports of Antimony and Articles Thereof

Exports in Africa

In 2022, shipments abroad of antimony and articles thereof decreased by -74.2% to X kg, falling for the third year in a row after three years of growth. Over the period under review, exports faced a precipitous decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 668%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, antimony and articles thereof exports shrank remarkably to $X in 2022. In general, exports faced a dramatic shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 698%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Tanzania represented the major exporter of antimony and articles thereof in Africa, with the volume of exports reaching X kg, which was approx. 79% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Rwanda (X kg), achieving an 18% share of total exports. Nigeria (X kg) held a relatively small share of total exports.

Tanzania was also the fastest-growing in terms of the antimony and articles thereof exports, with a CAGR of +1.8% from 2012 to 2022. Rwanda experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. Nigeria (-15.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Tanzania (+75 p.p.) and Rwanda (+18 p.p.) increased significantly, the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Tanzania ($X) remains the largest antimony and articles thereof supplier in Africa, comprising 89% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Rwanda ($X), with a 9.9% share of total exports.

In Tanzania, antimony and articles thereof exports expanded at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Rwanda (0.0% per year) and Nigeria (-32.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 16% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, recorded a noticeable slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the export price increased by 70% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Tanzania ($X per ton), while Nigeria ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Tanzania (+1.0%).

Imports of Antimony and Articles Thereof

Imports in Africa

In 2022, purchases abroad of antimony and articles thereof decreased by -3.4% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after two years of growth. In general, imports, however, saw a buoyant expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 142% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, antimony and articles thereof imports contracted to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated a notable increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% 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 -15.8% against 2017 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 57%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Namibia was the key importer of antimony and articles thereof in Africa, with the volume of imports reaching X tons, which was approx. 40% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Zambia (X tons), Algeria (X tons), South Africa (X tons) and Zimbabwe (X tons), together making up a 53% share of total imports. Tunisia (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Namibia was also the fastest-growing in terms of the antimony and articles thereof imports, with a CAGR of +74.3% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Zambia (+39.8%), Algeria (+23.6%) and Zimbabwe (+2.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Tunisia (-17.4%) and South Africa (-19.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Namibia (+39 p.p.), Zambia (+15 p.p.), South Africa (+13 p.p.) and Algeria (+10 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Zimbabwe and Tunisia saw its share reduced by -10% and -29.6% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, the largest antimony and articles thereof importing markets in Africa were Zambia ($X), Algeria ($X) and Zimbabwe ($X), with a combined 77% share of total imports.

Zambia, with a CAGR of +42.6%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2022, surging by 2.2% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, saw a deep contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 40%. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Zimbabwe ($X per ton), while Namibia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Zambia (+2.0%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform