Africa: Market for Natural Rubber And Gums 2024

Market Size for Natural Rubber And Gums in Africa

The African natural rubber and gum market expanded sharply to $X in 2022, growing by 5.4% against the previous year. The total consumption indicated a pronounced expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption decreased by -5.3% against 2020 indices. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Production of Natural Rubber And Gums in Africa

In value terms, natural rubber and gum production expanded to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, continues to indicate a slight downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 39%. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

The country with the largest volume of natural rubber and gum production was Cote d'Ivoire (X tons), accounting for 68% of total volume. Moreover, natural rubber and gum production in Cote d'Ivoire exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Nigeria (X tons), sixfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Liberia (X tons), with a 7.2% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in Cote d'Ivoire amounted to +12.5%. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Nigeria (+0.1% per year) and Liberia (+1.2% per year).

The average natural rubber and gum yield expanded to X tons per ha in 2022, with an increase of 3.1% against the year before. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 6.8%. Over the period under review, the natural rubber and gum yield reached the maximum level at X tons per ha in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the yield stood at a somewhat lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, the total area harvested in terms of natural rubber and gums production in Africa expanded rapidly to X ha, growing by 5.4% on the year before. The total harvested area indicated tangible growth from 2012 to 2022: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +4.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, natural rubber and gum harvested area decreased by -4.9% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the harvested area increased by 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to natural rubber and gum production reached the peak figure at X ha in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Exports of Natural Rubber And Gums

Exports in Africa

In 2022, approx. X tons of natural rubber and gums were exported in Africa; dropping by -8.5% against the year before. Overall, exports showed a deep contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 22% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, natural rubber and gum exports contracted dramatically to $X in 2022. In general, exports showed a abrupt shrinkage. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 52%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Cameroon was the main exporter of natural rubber and gums in Africa, with the volume of exports reaching X tons, which was near 59% of total exports in 2022. Ghana (X tons) took a 23% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Democratic Republic of the Congo (12%). The following exporters - Nigeria (X tons) and Liberia (X tons) - each finished at a 4.3% share of total exports.

Exports from Cameroon increased at an average annual rate of +4.0% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Democratic Republic of the Congo (+64.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Democratic Republic of the Congo emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Africa, with a CAGR of +64.3% from 2012-2022. Ghana experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Nigeria (-25.6%) and Liberia (-29.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Cameroon (+44 p.p.), Ghana (+14 p.p.) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (+12 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of Nigeria (-14.3 p.p.) and Liberia (-24.3 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Cameroon ($X) remains the largest natural rubber and gum supplier in Africa, comprising 64% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Ghana ($X), with a 24% share of total exports. It was followed by Democratic Republic of the Congo, with a 3.5% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Cameroon amounted to -1.8%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Ghana (-8.3% per year) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (+44.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, falling by -9.2% against the previous year. In general, the export price showed a abrupt downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the export price increased by 26%. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Liberia ($X per ton), while Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Liberia (-2.6%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Imports of Natural Rubber And Gums

Imports in Africa

In 2022, purchases abroad of natural rubber and gums decreased by -19.2% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after two years of growth. Over the period under review, imports showed a mild curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 69% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, natural rubber and gum imports shrank significantly to $X in 2022. Overall, imports saw a abrupt setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 50% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Egypt (X tons) and Algeria (X tons) represented the key importers of natural rubber and gums in Africa, together achieving 66% of total imports. Kenya (X tons) held the next position in the ranking, followed by South Africa (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 23% share of total imports. The following importers - Morocco (X tons), Tunisia (X tons) and Sudan (X tons) - together made up 6.3% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Kenya (with a CAGR of +33.1%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Egypt ($X), Algeria ($X) and South Africa ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together comprising 74% of total imports. Kenya, Morocco, Tunisia and Sudan lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 18%.

In terms of the main importing countries, Kenya, with a CAGR of +34.7%, recorded the highest growth rate of 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

In 2022, the import price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, standing approx. at the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, saw a abrupt shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 an increase of 16% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Kenya (+1.2%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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