Africa: Potassium Hydroxide Market 2024

Potassium Hydroxide Market Size in Africa

The African potassium hydroxide market totaled $X in 2022, picking up by 6.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption, however, continues to indicate a mild contraction. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Potassium Hydroxide Production in Africa

In value terms, potassium hydroxide production totaled $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, recorded a noticeable slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 25%. Over the period under review, production attained the maximum level at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Potassium Hydroxide Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2022, overseas shipments of potassium hydroxide (caustic potash) decreased by -18.3% to X tons, falling for the third year in a row after two years of growth. In general, exports continue to indicate a slight curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when exports increased by 196% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, potassium hydroxide exports dropped to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports recorded a pronounced downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 185% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

South Africa (X tons) and Niger (X tons) prevails in exports structure, together mixing up 73% of total exports. Rwanda (X tons) took the next position in the ranking, followed by Kenya (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 15% share of total exports. The following exporters - Ethiopia (X tons), Ghana (X tons) and Egypt (X tons) - together made up 6.8% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Rwanda (with a CAGR of +132.0%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) remains the largest potassium hydroxide supplier in Africa, comprising 64% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Rwanda ($X), with a 13% share of total exports. It was followed by Kenya, with an 8% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in South Africa stood at -1.5%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Rwanda (+50.9% per year) and Kenya (+13.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 12% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, showed a mild decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the export price increased by 31%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, 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 South Africa ($X per ton), while Niger ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Africa (+1.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Potassium Hydroxide Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2022, potassium hydroxide imports in Africa rose significantly to X tons, with an increase of 14% compared with the previous year. Total imports indicated buoyant growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports decreased by -20.4% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when imports increased by 35%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, potassium hydroxide imports soared to $X in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

South Africa prevails in imports structure, accounting for X tons, which was approx. 63% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Egypt (X tons) and Morocco (X tons), together making up a 17% share of total imports. Nigeria (X tons), Ghana (X tons), Cote d'Ivoire (X tons) and Kenya (X tons) took a minor share of total imports.

Imports into South Africa increased at an average annual rate of +10.0% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Cote d'Ivoire (+15.4%), Kenya (+12.1%), Ghana (+7.7%), Morocco (+2.3%) and Nigeria (+1.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Cote d'Ivoire emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Africa, with a CAGR of +15.4% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Egypt (-1.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. South Africa (+20 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Morocco and Egypt saw its share reduced by -2.9% and -9.3% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported potassium hydroxide (caustic potash) in Africa, comprising 55% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Morocco ($X), with a 15% share of total imports. It was followed by Egypt, with a 9.5% share.

In South Africa, potassium hydroxide imports expanded at an average annual rate of +6.2% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Morocco (+7.1% per year) and Egypt (-3.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2022, picking up by 12% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, saw a perceptible decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the import price increased by 16%. 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 Morocco ($X per ton), while Nigeria ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Morocco (+4.8%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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