Africa: Lime Market 2024

Lime Market Size in Africa

In 2021, the African lime market was finally on the rise to reach $X after two years of decline. In general, consumption, however, saw a mild contraction. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Lime Production in Africa

In value terms, lime production expanded rapidly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, recorded a perceptible shrinkage. The level of production peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Lime Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2021, overseas shipments of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime decreased by -12.6% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a buoyant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 39%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, lime exports contracted rapidly to $X in 2021. In general, exports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 with an increase of 29% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Zambia was the main exporter of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime in Africa, with the volume of exports resulting at X tons, which was near 56% of total exports in 2021. South Africa (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 10% share, followed by Ghana (9.4%), Tanzania (7.7%) and Tunisia (6.8%). Morocco (X tons) and Kenya (X tons) took a minor share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to lime exports from Zambia stood at +23.5%. At the same time, Morocco (+59.0%) and Tunisia (+15.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Morocco emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Africa, with a CAGR of +59.0% from 2012-2021. Ghana and Tanzania experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Kenya (-1.1%) and South Africa (-11.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Zambia, Morocco and Tunisia increased by +43, +4.3 and +3.9 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, Zambia ($X) remains the largest lime supplier in Africa, comprising 51% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Ghana ($X), with a 21% share of total exports. It was followed by South Africa, with an 8.8% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Zambia stood at +14.4%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Ghana (-1.3% per year) and South Africa (-16.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, which is down by -14.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price recorded a abrupt decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the export price increased by 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was Ghana ($X per ton), while Morocco ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Kenya (+0.5%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Lime Imports

Imports in Africa

After four years of growth, purchases abroad of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime decreased by -6.1% to X tons in 2021. Total imports indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.2% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 21% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2020, and then shrank in the following year.

In value terms, lime imports fell to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when imports increased by 24%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons), distantly followed by Ghana (X tons), Zambia (X tons) and Cote d'Ivoire (X tons) represented the main importers of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime, together achieving 60% of total imports. The following importers - South Africa (X tons), Burkina Faso (X tons), Kenya (X tons), Eritrea (X tons), Mali (X tons), Guinea (X tons), Zimbabwe (X tons), Cameroon (X tons) and Uganda (X tons) - together made up 24% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Kenya (with a CAGR of +42.1%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime in Africa, comprising 30% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Ghana ($X), with a 13% share of total imports. It was followed by Burkina Faso, with an 8.7% share.

In Democratic Republic of the Congo, lime imports shrank by an average annual rate of -1.8% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Ghana (-3.9% per year) and Burkina Faso (+0.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2021, with a decrease of -3.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price continues to indicate a deep downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 2.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Burkina Faso ($X per ton), while Eritrea ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Uganda (+5.1%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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