Africa: Lime Market 2025

Lime Market Size in Africa

After two years of decline, the African lime market increased by 6.7% to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, consumption, however, showed a pronounced reduction. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Lime Production in Africa

In value terms, lime production expanded significantly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, showed a noticeable descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the production volume increased by 36%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Lime Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2021, overseas shipments of lime decreased by -27.8% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after six years of growth. Over the period under review, exports, however, posted tangible growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 36%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, lime exports shrank markedly to $X in 2021. Overall, exports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 49% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Zambia was the major exporter of lime in Africa, with the volume of exports amounting to X tons, which was approx. 57% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by South Africa (X tons), Ghana (X tons), Tanzania (X tons) and Morocco (X tons), together generating a 34% share of total exports. The following exporters - Tunisia (X tons) and Kenya (X tons) - each recorded a 6.3% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to lime exports from Zambia stood at +26.2%. At the same time, Morocco (+62.3%) and Tunisia (+3.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Morocco emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Africa, with a CAGR of +62.3% from 2012-2021. Kenya, Ghana and Tanzania experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, South Africa (-11.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Zambia (+46 p.p.) and Morocco (+4.5 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of Ghana (-4.8 p.p.), Tanzania (-5.1 p.p.) and South Africa (-40.1 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Zambia ($X) remains the largest lime supplier in Africa, comprising 51% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Ghana ($X), with a 22% share of total exports. It was followed by South Africa, with a 9.3% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in Zambia totaled +13.7%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Ghana (-1.3% per year) and South Africa (-16.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2021, with a decrease of -22.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price showed a perceptible slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 17%. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

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 Ghana ($X per ton), while Morocco ($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 (+2.1%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Lime Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2021, overseas purchases of lime decreased by -7.4% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after three years of growth. Total imports indicated pronounced growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports decreased by -8.4% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 21% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, lime imports shrank to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 25%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons), distantly followed by Ghana (X tons), Guinea (X tons) and Zambia (X tons) were the major importers of lime, together generating 57% of total imports. Cote d'Ivoire (X tons), South Africa (X tons), Burkina Faso (X tons), Kenya (X tons), Eritrea (X tons), Egypt (X tons), Zimbabwe (X tons), Mali (X tons) and Uganda (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by Kenya (with a CAGR of +42.3%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported lime in Africa, comprising 27% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Ghana ($X), with a 12% share of total imports. It was followed by Zambia, with a 9.1% share.

In Democratic Republic of the Congo, lime imports declined by an average annual rate of -2.5% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Ghana (-4.8% per year) and Zambia (+9.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, dropping by -5.8% against the previous year. Overall, the import price showed a pronounced decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the import price increased by 3.1%. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Uganda (+5.2%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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