Africa: Sorbitol Market 2024

Sorbitol Market Size in Africa

The African sorbitol market dropped dramatically to $X in 2021, waning by -30.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption saw a abrupt decrease. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Sorbitol Production in Africa

In value terms, sorbitol production expanded significantly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 13% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Sorbitol Exports

Exports in Africa

For the third consecutive year, Africa recorded growth in shipments abroad of sorbitol (excluding d-glucitol), which increased by 54% to X tons in 2021. Over the period under review, exports recorded a prominent increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when exports increased by 96%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, sorbitol exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Overall, exports showed a resilient increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 162%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

South Africa represented the major exporter of sorbitol (excluding d-glucitol) in Africa, with the volume of exports reaching X tons, which was near 60% of total exports in 2021. Egypt (X tons) held a 17% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Senegal (8.2%) and Swaziland (8.2%). Kenya (X tons) and Cote d'Ivoire (X tons) held a minor share of total exports.

Exports from South Africa increased at an average annual rate of +23.2% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Swaziland (+83.9%), Kenya (+16.6%) and Egypt (+9.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Swaziland emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Africa, with a CAGR of +83.9% from 2012-2021. Cote d'Ivoire experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Senegal (-4.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. South Africa (+31 p.p.) and Swaziland (+8.2 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Cote d'Ivoire, Egypt and Senegal saw its share reduced by -4.6%, -6.3% and -28.8% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) remains the largest sorbitol supplier in Africa, comprising 65% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Swaziland ($X), with an 11% share of total exports. It was followed by Egypt, with a 9.9% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in South Africa amounted to +16.1%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Swaziland (+97.5% per year) and Egypt (+2.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 6.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, continues to indicate a mild descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 an increase of 129%. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Cote d'Ivoire ($X per ton), while Egypt ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Swaziland (+7.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Sorbitol Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2021, imports of sorbitol (excluding d-glucitol) in Africa reduced dramatically to X tons, waning by -18.7% against the previous year's figure. Total imports indicated a tangible expansion from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.2% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when imports increased by 34% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2020, and then declined sharply in the following year.

In value terms, sorbitol imports fell markedly to $X in 2021. Overall, imports saw a abrupt contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 43% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Nigeria represented the main importer of sorbitol (excluding d-glucitol) in Africa, with the volume of imports finishing at X tons, which was approx. 44% of total imports in 2021. Egypt (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with an 18% share, followed by Algeria (10%), South Africa (9.8%) and Cote d'Ivoire (6.1%). Tunisia (X tons) and Ghana (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into Nigeria increased at an average annual rate of +5.8% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Ghana (+56.4%), Algeria (+25.8%), Cote d'Ivoire (+23.1%), South Africa (+19.9%) and Tunisia (+10.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Ghana emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Africa, with a CAGR of +56.4% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Egypt (-5.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Algeria (+8.3 p.p.), South Africa (+7 p.p.), Nigeria (+5.6 p.p.), Cote d'Ivoire (+4.8 p.p.), Ghana (+3.4 p.p.) and Tunisia (+1.5 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Egypt (-25.6 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Nigeria ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported sorbitol (excluding d-glucitol) in Africa, comprising 45% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Egypt ($X), with a 22% share of total imports. It was followed by Algeria, with an 8.3% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Nigeria amounted to +6.9%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Egypt (-20.7% per year) and Algeria (+20.6% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, with a decrease of -13.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price saw a deep downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the import price increased by 35% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2016 to 2021, the import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Egypt ($X per ton), while Ghana ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Nigeria (+1.0%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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