Africa: Potassium Sulphate (Sop) Market 2025

Potassium Sulphate (Sop) Market Size in Africa

The African potassium sulphate (SOP) market was finally on the rise to reach $X in 2022, after two years of decline. Overall, consumption recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Potassium Sulphate (Sop) Production in Africa

In value terms, potassium sulphate (SOP) production dropped to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production continues to indicate a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 209%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Potassium Sulphate (Sop) Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2022, the amount of potassium sulphate (SOP) exported in Africa rose rapidly to X tons, surging by 6.1% against 2021. Over the period under review, exports enjoyed a significant increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when exports increased by 130% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

In value terms, potassium sulphate (SOP) exports surged to $X in 2022. Overall, exports posted a significant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when exports increased by 88%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Egypt (X tons) was the main exporter of potassium sulphate (SOP), generating 83% of total exports. South Africa (X tons) held an 11% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Mozambique (5%).

Egypt was also the fastest-growing in terms of the potassium sulphate (SOP) exports, with a CAGR of +67.3% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Mozambique (+51.2%) and South Africa (+18.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. While the share of Egypt (+69 p.p.) and Mozambique (+2.8 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of South Africa (-45.5 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Egypt ($X) remains the largest potassium sulphate (SOP) supplier in Africa, comprising 89% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by South Africa ($X), with a 7.1% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Egypt amounted to +77.6%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: South Africa (+15.6% per year) and Mozambique (+44.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 66% against the previous year. Export price indicated mild growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, potassium sulphate (SOP) export price increased by +105.6% against 2018 indices. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Egypt (+6.1%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Potassium Sulphate (Sop) Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2022, the amount of potassium sulphate (SOP) imported in Africa soared to X tons, growing by 18% against the previous year. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, potassium sulphate (SOP) imports surged to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated a mild increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +32.7% against 2019 indices. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2022, South Africa (X tons) was the largest importer of potassium sulphate (SOP), constituting 43% of total imports. Zimbabwe (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, followed by Morocco (X tons), Egypt (X tons) and Mozambique (X tons). All these countries together took near 43% share of total imports. Tunisia (X tons) and Malawi (X tons) took a relatively small share of total imports.

Imports into South Africa increased at an average annual rate of +6.4% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Zimbabwe (+25.2%), Mozambique (+22.4%), Malawi (+8.4%), Morocco (+3.8%) and Tunisia (+1.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Zimbabwe emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Africa, with a CAGR of +25.2% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Egypt (-10.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of South Africa (+15 p.p.), Zimbabwe (+14 p.p.), Mozambique (+5 p.p.) and Morocco (+1.9 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of Egypt (-23.2 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X), Morocco ($X) and Zimbabwe ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 66% share of total imports.

In terms of the main importing countries, Zimbabwe, with a CAGR of +22.7%, 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

The import price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2022, jumping by 27% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Morocco ($X per ton), while South Africa ($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 (+4.7%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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