Africa: Quicklime Market 2025

Quicklime Market Size in Africa

The African quicklime market reduced to $X in 2022, shrinking by -4.9% against the previous year. Overall, consumption recorded a slight descent. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Quicklime Production in Africa

In value terms, quicklime production fell to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production saw a pronounced decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 14%. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Quicklime Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2022, shipments abroad of quicklime was finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a resilient increase. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, quicklime exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. In general, exports saw strong growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 54% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Zambia represented the largest exporter of quicklime in Africa, with the volume of exports amounting to X tons, which was approx. 49% of total exports in 2022. Tanzania (X tons) held a 22% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Tunisia (16%) and Ghana (6.2%). The following exporters - South Africa (X tons), Morocco (X tons) and Kenya (X tons) - together made up 7% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to quicklime exports from Zambia stood at +22.7%. At the same time, Morocco (+61.6%), Tunisia (+44.2%), Kenya (+30.1%), Tanzania (+12.3%) and Ghana (+6.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Morocco emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Africa, with a CAGR of +61.6% from 2012-2022. By contrast, South Africa (-17.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Zambia (+32 p.p.), Tunisia (+15 p.p.), Tanzania (+4 p.p.) and Morocco (+2.2 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of Ghana (-2.6 p.p.) and South Africa (-51.7 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Zambia ($X) remains the largest quicklime supplier in Africa, comprising 50% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Tanzania ($X), with an 18% share of total exports. It was followed by Ghana, with a 15% share.

In Zambia, quicklime exports expanded at an average annual rate of +16.8% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Tanzania (+4.2% per year) and Ghana (+5.7% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2022, approximately reflecting the previous year. In general, the export price, however, recorded a noticeable downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 an increase of 17% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs 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 Ghana ($X per ton), while Kenya ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Africa (+0.3%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Quicklime Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2022, the amount of quicklime imported in Africa soared to X tons, growing by 17% compared with the previous year's figure. In general, imports saw a remarkable increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 52%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, quicklime imports surged to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports saw a pronounced increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 49%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons) was the key importer of quicklime, comprising 39% of total imports. Ghana (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 21% share, followed by Guinea (5.3%), Burkina Faso (5%) and Zambia (4.7%). Zimbabwe (X tons), South Africa (X tons), Mali (X tons), Cote d'Ivoire (X tons), Cameroon (X tons) and Eritrea (X tons) held a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Eritrea (with a CAGR of +31.6%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported quicklime in Africa, comprising 35% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Ghana ($X), with a 13% share of total imports. It was followed by Burkina Faso, with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Democratic Republic of the Congo totaled +5.9%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Ghana (-3.8% per year) and Burkina Faso (+10.7% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 5.9% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, showed a pronounced descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the import price increased by 6.4%. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Africa (+3.8%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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