Africa: Market for Polyethylene in Primary Forms 2025

Market Size for Polyethylene in Primary Forms in Africa

In 2021, the African polyethylene in primary forms market increased by 2.7% to $X, rising for the second consecutive year after three years of decline. Over the period under review, consumption recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when the market value increased by 8.3% against the previous year. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2017 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Production of Polyethylene in Primary Forms in Africa

In value terms, polyethylene in primary forms production shrank to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production continues to indicate a pronounced decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 13%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2017 to 2021, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports of Polyethylene in Primary Forms

Exports in Africa

In 2021, the amount of polyethylene in primary forms exported in Africa amounted to X tons, with an increase of 3.5% compared with 2020 figures. In general, exports continue to indicate buoyant growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 81% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, polyethylene in primary forms exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Total exports indicated a noticeable expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Egypt (X tons) represented the major exporter of polyethylene in primary forms, constituting 61% of total exports. South Africa (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 26% share, followed by Libya (5.4%) and Nigeria (4.9%).

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to polyethylene in primary forms exports from Egypt stood at +4.6%. At the same time, Nigeria (+13.6%), South Africa (+7.3%) and Libya (+3.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Nigeria emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Africa, with a CAGR of +13.6% from 2012-2021. From 2012 to 2021, the share of South Africa and Nigeria increased by +3.9 and +2.4 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Egypt ($X) remains the largest polyethylene in primary forms supplier in Africa, comprising 68% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by South Africa ($X), with a 24% share of total exports. It was followed by Nigeria, with a 4% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Egypt stood at +5.0%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: South Africa (+6.7% per year) and Nigeria (+0.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 49% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, saw a mild setback. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Egypt ($X per ton), while Libya ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Egypt (+0.4%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Imports of Polyethylene in Primary Forms

Imports in Africa

In 2021, supplies from abroad of polyethylene in primary forms decreased by -3% to X tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year rising trend. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.5% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when imports increased by 11% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2020, and then contracted in the following year.

In value terms, polyethylene in primary forms imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Egypt (X tons), followed by Nigeria (X tons), Algeria (X tons), South Africa (X tons), Morocco (X tons), Kenya (X tons), Ghana (X tons) and Tunisia (X tons) represented the largest importers of polyethylene in primary forms, together generating 73% of total imports. The following importers - Cote d'Ivoire (X tons), Tanzania (X tons), Togo (X tons), Ethiopia (X tons) and Zambia (X tons) - together made up 13% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Ethiopia (with a CAGR of +15.9%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest polyethylene in primary forms importing markets in Africa were Egypt ($X), Nigeria ($X) and Algeria ($X), together comprising 43% of total imports. These countries were followed by Morocco, South Africa, Kenya, Tunisia, Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire, Tanzania, Togo, Zambia and Ethiopia, which together accounted for a further 43%.

Ethiopia, with a CAGR of +15.7%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of 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

In 2021, the import price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 41% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in Egypt ($X per ton) and Nigeria ($X per ton), while Cote d'Ivoire ($X per ton) and Togo ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Nigeria (+0.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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