Africa: Silicates Market 2024

Silicates Market Size in Africa

After four years of growth, the African silicates market decreased by -14.9% to $X in 2021. The total consumption indicated noticeable growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption increased by +63.5% against 2016 indices. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X, and then shrank in the following year.

Silicates Production in Africa

In value terms, silicates production dropped to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 41%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X, and then declined in the following year.

Silicates Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2021, shipments abroad of silicates, commercial alkali metal silicates was finally on the rise to reach X tons after two years of decline. In general, exports saw a remarkable increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 540% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, silicates exports soared to $X in 2021. Overall, exports enjoyed a buoyant increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 532%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Egypt represented the major exporter of silicates, commercial alkali metal silicates in Africa, with the volume of exports resulting at X tons, which was approx. 65% of total exports in 2021. Kenya (X tons) took a 23% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by South Africa (6.8%).

Egypt was also the fastest-growing in terms of the silicates, commercial alkali metal silicates exports, with a CAGR of +10.8% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, South Africa (+5.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Kenya (-1.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Egypt (+22 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Kenya saw its share reduced by -23.1% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Egypt ($X) remains the largest silicates supplier in Africa, comprising 70% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Kenya ($X), with a 16% share of total exports.

In Egypt, silicates exports increased at an average annual rate of +9.0% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Kenya (-2.3% per year) and South Africa (+0.4% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the export price increased by 24% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was South Africa ($X per ton), while Kenya ($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 (-0.4%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Silicates Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2021, after two years of growth, there was decline in supplies from abroad of silicates, commercial alkali metal silicates, when their volume decreased by less than 0.1% to X tons. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when imports increased by 18% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2020, and then reduced slightly in the following year.

In value terms, silicates imports rose notably to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 18%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

South Africa (X tons) and Algeria (X tons) represented roughly 24% of total imports in 2021. Nigeria (X tons) took the next position in the ranking, followed by Tanzania (X tons), Mozambique (X tons), Zambia (X tons), Senegal (X tons), Uganda (X tons), Angola (X tons) and Morocco (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 47% share of total imports. Ghana (X tons), Sudan (X tons) and Ethiopia (X tons) took a relatively small share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Mozambique (with a CAGR of +27.9%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, South Africa ($X), Algeria ($X) and Nigeria ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, together accounting for 33% of total imports. Zambia, Angola, Senegal, Morocco, Uganda, Ghana, Mozambique, Tanzania, Sudan and Ethiopia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 47%.

In terms of the main importing countries, Mozambique, with a CAGR of +21.4%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to 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 2021, increasing by 12% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Nigeria ($X per ton), while Tanzania ($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 (+4.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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