Africa: Slate Market 2024

Slate Market Size in Africa

After seven years of growth, the African slate market decreased by -7.7% to $X in 2021. Overall, consumption, however, enjoyed buoyant growth. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2020, and then dropped in the following year.

Slate Production in Africa

In value terms, slate production declined markedly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, showed a significant increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the production volume increased by 1,441%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Slate Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2021, slate exports in Africa expanded notably to X tons, surging by 7.2% against 2020 figures. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 65%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, slate exports surged to $X in 2021. Total exports indicated a notable increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +93.3% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 45%. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

South Africa represented the major exporting country with an export of about X tons, which amounted to 63% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Egypt (X tons), creating a 31% share of total exports. Tanzania (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

South Africa was also the fastest-growing in terms of the slate exports, with a CAGR of +8.4% from 2012 to 2021. Egypt experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. Tanzania (-8.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of South Africa increased by +30 percentage points.

In value terms, the largest slate supplying countries in Africa were South Africa ($X), Egypt ($X) and Tanzania ($X), together accounting for 91% of total exports.

South Africa, with a CAGR of +5.1%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, growing by 28% against the previous year. Export price indicated a slight expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, slate export price increased by +85.5% against 2016 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the export price increased by 39% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the peak figure in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

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 Egypt ($X per ton), while Tanzania ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Egypt (+2.1%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Slate Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2021, the amount of slate imported in Africa soared to X tons, growing by 30% compared with the previous year. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a resilient increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 50% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, slate imports surged to $X in 2021. Overall, imports posted a tangible expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 68%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Morocco was the largest importing country with an import of around X tons, which amounted to 49% of total imports. Egypt (X tons) held an 18% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Nigeria (9.1%) and South Africa (4.7%). Ghana (X tons), Madagascar (X tons) and Botswana (X tons) held a minor share of total imports.

Imports into Morocco increased at an average annual rate of +20.9% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Ghana (+89.5%), Nigeria (+23.2%), Madagascar (+18.6%), Egypt (+13.5%) and Botswana (+9.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Ghana emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Africa, with a CAGR of +89.5% from 2012-2021. By contrast, South Africa (-16.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Morocco (+32 p.p.), Egypt (+7.1 p.p.), Nigeria (+6.4 p.p.), Ghana (+3.9 p.p.) and Madagascar (+1.9 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of South Africa (-40.4 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Morocco ($X), Egypt ($X) and Nigeria ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, with a combined 73% share of total imports. Ghana, South Africa, Madagascar and Botswana lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 14%.

Ghana, with a CAGR of +99.6%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among 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, increasing by 9.4% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, recorded a perceptible decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 an increase of 12% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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 ($X per ton), while Morocco ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Ghana (+5.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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