Africa: Market for Siliceous Fossil Meals (Kieselguhr, Tripolite and Diatomite) 2025

Market Size for Siliceous Fossil Meals (Kieselguhr, Tripolite and Diatomite) in Africa

The African market for siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) fell modestly to $X in 2021, reducing by -2% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production of Siliceous Fossil Meals (Kieselguhr, Tripolite and Diatomite) in Africa

In value terms, production of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) expanded to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 26% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production of hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports of Siliceous Fossil Meals (Kieselguhr, Tripolite and Diatomite)

Exports in Africa

In 2021, the amount of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) exported in Africa surged to X tons, with an increase of 17% compared with the previous year. Total exports indicated a temperate increase from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 51% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the exports of remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, exports of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) soared to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 56% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the exports of failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

The shipments of the three major exporters of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite), namely South Africa, Kenya and Mozambique, represented more than two-thirds of total export. The following exporters - Namibia (X tons), Zambia (X tons), Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons) and Uganda (X tons) - each recorded a 7% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Namibia (with a CAGR of +68.4%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) remains the largest siliceous fossil meal (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) supplier in Africa, comprising 56% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Kenya ($X), with a 23% share of total exports. It was followed by Mozambique, with a 5.1% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in South Africa totaled -4.6%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Kenya (+40.0% per year) and Mozambique (+8.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, stabilizing at the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, saw a noticeable contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the export price increased by 37%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2016 to 2021, the export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

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 Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X per ton), while Mozambique ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mozambique (+5.2%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Imports of Siliceous Fossil Meals (Kieselguhr, Tripolite and Diatomite)

Imports in Africa

In 2021, the amount of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) imported in Africa declined modestly to X tons, reducing by -4.4% against 2020 figures. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 29% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, imports of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) fell slightly to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 31% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

South Africa represented the main importer of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) in Africa, with the volume of imports recording X tons, which was approx. 27% of total imports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Nigeria (X tons), Angola (X tons) and Cameroon (X tons), together mixing up a 26% share of total imports. The following importers - Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons), Algeria (X tons), Ethiopia (X tons), Gabon (X tons), Tanzania (X tons), Zambia (X tons), Egypt (X tons), Burkina Faso (X tons) and Mozambique (X tons) - together made up 27% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to siliceous fossil meal (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) imports into South Africa stood at -2.6%. At the same time, Gabon (+40.1%), Angola (+19.0%), Burkina Faso (+17.2%), Zambia (+8.1%), Nigeria (+7.6%), Democratic Republic of the Congo (+4.7%), Cameroon (+3.6%) and Algeria (+2.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Gabon emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Africa, with a CAGR of +40.1% from 2012-2021. Mozambique and Egypt experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Ethiopia (-2.9%) and Tanzania (-3.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Angola (+6.6 p.p.), Nigeria (+4.7 p.p.), Gabon (+2.9 p.p.) and Burkina Faso (+1.8 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Ethiopia, Tanzania and South Africa saw its share reduced by -1.7%, -1.8% and -12.2% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X), Angola ($X) and Nigeria ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, together accounting for 42% of total imports. These countries were followed by Cameroon, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, Burkina Faso, Mozambique, Algeria, Gabon, Tanzania and Egypt, which together accounted for a further 36%.

Gabon, with a CAGR of +33.9%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries 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, picking up by 3.4% against the previous year. Overall, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 8.1% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2021, the import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Angola ($X per ton), while Nigeria ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Ethiopia (+6.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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