Africa: Kaolin Market 2024

Kaolin Market Size in Africa

In 2021, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in the African kaolin market, when its value decreased by -10.8% to $X. Overall, consumption, however, showed a perceptible downturn. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Kaolin Production in Africa

In value terms, kaolin production plummeted to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when the production volume increased by 133% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Kaolin Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2021, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in shipments abroad of kaolin and kaolinic clays, when their volume increased by 10% to X tons. Total exports indicated a measured increase from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports decreased by -17.9% against 2018 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 45% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, kaolin exports surged to $X in 2021. Total exports indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.6% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 35% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Morocco was the largest exporting country with an export of about X tons, which finished at 65% of total exports. Senegal (X tons) took a 22% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Egypt (7.3%). Cote d'Ivoire (X tons) held a little share of total exports.

Exports from Morocco increased at an average annual rate of +5.2% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Cote d'Ivoire (+19.2%) and Egypt (+4.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Cote d'Ivoire emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Africa, with a CAGR of +19.2% from 2012-2021. Senegal experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. While the share of Morocco (+9 p.p.) and Cote d'Ivoire (+1.9 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of Senegal (-9.8 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Senegal ($X), Morocco ($X) and Egypt ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, with a combined 83% share of total exports. Cote d'Ivoire lagged somewhat behind, comprising a further 2.6%.

Among the main exporting countries, Cote d'Ivoire, with a CAGR of +15.4%, 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, with an increase of 12% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.0%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: 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 Senegal (+7.0%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Kaolin Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2021, kaolin imports in Africa surged to X tons, increasing by 40% on the previous year. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.6% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, kaolin imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. The level of import peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Algeria represented the main importer of kaolin and kaolinic clays in Africa, with the volume of imports finishing at X tons, which was approx. 46% of total imports in 2021. Tunisia (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 20% share, followed by Egypt (14%) and Morocco (8.7%). South Africa (X tons), Ghana (X tons) and Nigeria (X tons) held a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to kaolin imports into Algeria stood at +18.1%. At the same time, Ghana (+48.8%), Nigeria (+25.6%) and Morocco (+3.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Ghana emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Africa, with a CAGR of +48.8% from 2012-2021. South Africa and Tunisia experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Egypt (-5.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Algeria (+31 p.p.) and Ghana (+2 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of South Africa (-1.6 p.p.), Tunisia (-11.6 p.p.) and Egypt (-21 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest kaolin importing markets in Africa were Egypt ($X), Algeria ($X) and Tunisia ($X), with a combined 64% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Morocco, South Africa, Nigeria and Ghana, which together accounted for a further 25%.

Ghana, with a CAGR of +35.9%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among 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, with a decrease of -17.8% against the previous year. Overall, the import price saw a pronounced descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the import price increased by 13% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Nigeria ($X per ton), while Algeria ($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 (+1.9%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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