Africa: Carbonate Market 2025

Carbonate Market Size in Africa

The African carbonate market reduced slightly to $X in 2021, declining by -2.7% against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Carbonate Production in Africa

In value terms, carbonate production totaled $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, recorded a mild contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 14% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2021, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Carbonate Exports

Exports in Africa

Carbonate exports reached X tons in 2021, picking up by 9% on the previous year's figure. In general, exports, however, recorded a slight decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 27% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, carbonate exports reached $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed a mild decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 55% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Kenya (X tons) and Botswana (X tons) represented the largest exporters of carbonates and peroxocarbonates in Africa, together making up 69% of total exports. Egypt (X tons) held the next position in the ranking, distantly followed by South Africa (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 20% share of total exports. Morocco (X tons) and Tunisia (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Morocco (with a CAGR of +7.1%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Egypt ($X), Kenya ($X) and Botswana ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, together comprising 79% of total exports.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Egypt, with a CAGR of +7.6%, recorded the highest growth rate of 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 2021, the export price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, rising by 4.8% against the previous year. In general, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the export price increased by 103% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in years to come.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Egypt ($X per ton), while Morocco ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Tunisia (+4.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Carbonate Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2021, overseas purchases of carbonates and peroxocarbonates decreased by -6.2% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after five years of growth. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 9.5%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, carbonate imports contracted to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 11%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2020, and then reduced in the following year.

Imports by Country

The countries with the highest levels of carbonate imports in 2021 were South Africa (X tons), Egypt (X tons) and Algeria (X tons), together finishing at 53% of total import. Morocco (X tons) ranks next in terms of the total imports with a 6.4% share, followed by Nigeria (5.6%). Tunisia (X tons), Tanzania (X tons), Cote d'Ivoire (X tons), Kenya (X tons), Ghana (X tons), Angola (X tons), Libya (X tons) and Uganda (X tons) took a little share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by Angola (with a CAGR of +14.6%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, South Africa ($X), Egypt ($X) and Nigeria ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, with a combined 55% share of total imports. Algeria, Morocco, Ghana, Tanzania, Tunisia, Cote d'Ivoire, Angola, Kenya, Libya and Uganda lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 34%.

Angola, with a CAGR of +13.0%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to 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 2021, waning by -1.5% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 an increase of 20% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton, and then dropped modestly in the following year.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Nigeria (+7.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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