Africa: Sulphites Market 2025

Sulphites Market Size in Africa

The African sulphites market expanded modestly to $X in 2022, with an increase of 3.6% against the previous year. The total consumption indicated a perceptible expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption decreased by -20.5% against 2018 indices. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Sulphites Production in Africa

In value terms, sulphites production declined modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 22% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2017 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Sulphites Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2022, the amount of sulphites exported in Africa reduced to X tons, waning by -1.5% compared with the previous year. Overall, exports saw a abrupt contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when exports increased by 269%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, sulphites exports reached $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports saw a abrupt contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 171%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Zambia represented the largest exporting country with an export of around X tons, which accounted for 56% of total exports. Namibia (X tons) took a 31% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by South Africa (7.4%). Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons) took a minor share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by Namibia (with a CAGR of +117.9%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

In value terms, the largest sulphites supplying countries in Africa were Zambia ($X), Namibia ($X) and South Africa ($X), with a combined 93% share of total exports.

Namibia, with a CAGR of +125.1%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among 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

The export price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2022, picking up by 2.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price continues to indicate a pronounced increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 an increase of 49%. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was South Africa ($X per ton), while Zambia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Namibia (+3.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Sulphites Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2022, sulphites imports in Africa rose significantly to X tons, with an increase of 12% compared with the previous year. In general, imports continue to indicate a temperate expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when imports increased by 60% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, sulphites imports soared to $X in 2022. Overall, imports saw moderate growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 76%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

South Africa represented the key importer of sulphites in Africa, with the volume of imports amounting to X tons, which was approx. 41% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons), Tanzania (X tons), Eritrea (X tons) and Egypt (X tons), together generating a 37% share of total imports. The following importers - Namibia (X tons), Morocco (X tons), Angola (X tons), Nigeria (X tons), Liberia (X tons) and Guinea (X tons) - together made up 12% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to sulphites imports into South Africa stood at +4.6%. At the same time, Guinea (+40.0%), Namibia (+37.2%), Eritrea (+26.1%), Liberia (+14.4%), Nigeria (+4.3%), Egypt (+3.9%), Morocco (+3.5%) and Tanzania (+3.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Guinea emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Africa, with a CAGR of +40.0% from 2012-2022. Democratic Republic of the Congo experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Angola (-3.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Eritrea (+4.9 p.p.), South Africa (+4.1 p.p.), Namibia (+2.7 p.p.) and Guinea (+1.6 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of Angola (-2 p.p.) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (-8.8 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest sulphites importing markets in Africa were South Africa ($X), Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X) and Egypt ($X), with a combined 53% share of total imports. Tanzania, Angola, Eritrea, Nigeria, Morocco, Guinea, Namibia and Liberia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 29%.

In terms of the main importing countries, Guinea, with a CAGR of +50.0%, 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 2022, picking up by 11% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, recorded a slight contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 19%. Over the period under review, import prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Angola ($X per ton), while South Africa ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Guinea (+7.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :