Africa: Iron Ore Market 2021

Iron Ore Market Size in Africa

In 2019, the African iron ore market increased by X% to $X, rising for the third year in a row after two years of decline. Overall, consumption saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the market value increased by X% year-to-year. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2008; however, from 2009 to 2019, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Iron Ore Production in Africa

In value terms, iron ore production soared to $X in 2019 estimated in export prices. Over the period under review, production saw tangible growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2011 with an increase of X% y-o-y. The level of production peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2019, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production By Country in Africa

The country with the largest volume of iron ore production was South Africa (X tons), accounting for X% of total volume. Moreover, iron ore production in South Africa exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Mauritania (X tons), sixfold. The third position in this ranking was occupied by Liberia (X tons), with a X% share.

In South Africa, iron ore production increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the period from 2007-2019. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Mauritania (+X% per year) and Liberia (+X% per year).

Iron Ore Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2019, exports of iron ores in Africa rose rapidly to X tons, growing by X% against the previous year. Total exports indicated a strong expansion from 2007 to 2019: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the last twelve-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2019 figures, exports increased by +X% against 2016 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2009 with an increase of X% year-to-year. Over the period under review, exports reached the peak figure in 2019 and are likely to continue growth in the near future.

In value terms, iron ore exports soared to $X in 2019. In general, exports saw strong growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2011 when exports increased by X% against the previous year. As a result, exports attained the peak of $X. From 2012 to 2019, the growth exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

South Africa was the major exporter of iron ores in Africa, with the volume of exports finishing at X tons, which was near X% of total exports in 2019. It was distantly followed by Mauritania (X tons) and Liberia (X tons), together achieving a X% share of total exports.

From 2007 to 2019, average annual rates of growth with regard to iron ore exports from South Africa stood at +X%. At the same time, Liberia (+X%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Liberia emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Africa, with a CAGR of +X% from 2007-2019. Mauritania experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. South Africa (+X p.p.) and Liberia (+X p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Mauritania saw its share reduced by -X% from 2007 to 2019, respectively.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) remains the largest iron ore supplier in Africa, comprising X% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Mauritania ($X), with a X% share of total exports.

In South Africa, iron ore exports increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the period from 2007-2019. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Mauritania (+X% per year) and Liberia (+X% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The iron ore export price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2019, growing by X% against the previous year. In general, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2011 when the export price increased by X% y-o-y. As a result, export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2012 to 2019, the growth in terms of the export prices failed to regain the momentum.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major exporting countries. In 2019, the country with the highest price was South Africa ($X per ton), while Liberia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Africa, while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Iron Ore Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2019, overseas purchases of iron ores increased by X% to X tons, rising for the fourth consecutive year after two years of decline. Overall, imports posted tangible growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of X% year-to-year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure in 2019 and are likely to see steady growth in years to come.

In value terms, iron ore imports shrank to $X in 2019. In general, imports saw a temperate expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at $X in 2018, and then dropped in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2019, Egypt (X tons) was the main importer of iron ores, achieving X% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Libya (X tons), mixing up a X% share of total imports. Algeria (X tons) and South Africa (X tons) occupied a little share of total imports.

Egypt was also the fastest-growing in terms of the iron ores imports, with a CAGR of +X% from 2007 to 2019. Algeria experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. Libya (-X%) and South Africa (-X%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2007 to 2019, the share of Egypt increased by +X% percentage points, while Algeria (-X p.p.), South Africa (-X p.p.) and Libya (-X p.p.) saw their share reduced.

In value terms, Egypt ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported iron ores in Africa, comprising X% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Libya ($X), with a X% share of total imports. It was followed by Algeria, with a X% share.

From 2007 to 2019, the average annual growth rate of value in Egypt totaled +X%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Libya (+X% per year) and Algeria (-X% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The iron ore import price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2019, reducing by -X% against the previous year. Overall, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2008 an increase of X% year-to-year. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2010; however, from 2011 to 2019, import prices failed to regain the momentum.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major importing countries. In 2019, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in Egypt ($X per ton) and South Africa ($X per ton), while Algeria ($X per ton) and Libya ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Libya, while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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