Africa: Market for Cationic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap) 2024

Market Size for Cationic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap) in Africa

In 2021, the African market for cationic surface-active agents (excluding soap) increased by 2.7% to $X, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. In general, consumption, however, continues to indicate a pronounced reduction. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Production of Cationic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap) in Africa

In value terms, cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) production contracted modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production continues to indicate a pronounced downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 11%. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Exports of Cationic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap)

Exports in Africa

In 2021, approx. X tons of cationic surface-active agents (excluding soap) were exported in Africa; falling by -18.5% against 2020. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a buoyant expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when exports increased by 635% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2020, and then contracted remarkably in the following year.

In value terms, cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) exports declined significantly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw a buoyant increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when exports increased by 379% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2020, and then shrank rapidly in the following year.

Exports by Country

South Africa was the major exporting country with an export of about X tons, which amounted to 70% of total exports. Egypt (X tons) took a 14% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Zimbabwe (10%). The following exporters - Zambia (X tons) and Cote d'Ivoire (X tons) - together made up 4.7% of total exports.

Exports from South Africa increased at an average annual rate of +20.3% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Cote d'Ivoire (+39.1%), Zambia (+26.1%) and Egypt (+9.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Cote d'Ivoire emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Africa, with a CAGR of +39.1% from 2012-2021. Zimbabwe experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. Zimbabwe (+10 p.p.) and South Africa (+8.1 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Egypt saw its share reduced by -14.6% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) remains the largest cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) supplier in Africa, comprising 81% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Egypt ($X), with a 7% share of total exports. It was followed by Zimbabwe, with a 6.4% share.

In South Africa, cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) exports expanded at an average annual rate of +14.7% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Egypt (+4.3% per year) and Zimbabwe (0.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, stabilizing at the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, recorded a noticeable shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the export price increased by 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was South Africa ($X per ton), while Zambia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Africa (-4.6%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Imports of Cationic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap)

Imports in Africa

In 2021, supplies from abroad of cationic surface-active agents (excluding soap) increased by 29% to X tons, rising for the fourth consecutive year after three years of decline. In general, imports posted strong growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 38% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

In value terms, cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Burkina Faso dominates imports structure, finishing at X tons, which was near 53% of total imports in 2021. South Africa (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, followed by Egypt (X tons) and Zambia (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 19% share of total imports. Algeria (X tons), Nigeria (X tons), Morocco (X tons), Zimbabwe (X tons) and Namibia (X tons) held a minor share of total imports.

Burkina Faso was also the fastest-growing in terms of the cationic surface-active agents (excluding soap) imports, with a CAGR of +160.6% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Zimbabwe (+53.9%), Zambia (+34.8%), Nigeria (+15.6%), Namibia (+10.1%) and Egypt (+2.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Algeria (-5.4%), Morocco (-6.7%) and South Africa (-8.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Burkina Faso (+53 p.p.), Zambia (+4.7 p.p.) and Zimbabwe (+2 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Egypt, Morocco, Algeria and South Africa saw its share reduced by -4.3%, -6.9%, -7.7% and -26.4% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) importing markets in Africa were Burkina Faso ($X), Egypt ($X) and Nigeria ($X), together comprising 46% of total imports.

Among the main importing countries, Burkina Faso, with a CAGR of +110.2%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, 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, surging by 5.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, continues to indicate a abrupt slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the import price increased by 11% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Nigeria ($X per ton), while Burkina Faso ($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 (+9.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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