Africa: Sulphur Market 2024

Sulphur Market Size in Africa

In 2022, after four years of decline, there was significant growth in the African sulphur market, when its value increased by 12% to $X. Overall, consumption recorded a mild decrease. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Sulphur Production in Africa

In value terms, sulphur production shrank remarkably to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, continues to indicate a remarkable increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 114% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X, and then declined significantly in the following year.

Sulphur Exports

Exports in Africa

Sulphur exports fell remarkably to X tons in 2022, shrinking by -15.8% against the previous year. Overall, exports, however, posted a tangible expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 67%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, sulphur exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, showed a measured expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 88%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Zambia (X tons) and South Africa (X tons) were the major exporters of sulphur in Africa, together achieving 86% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Libya (X tons), making up an 11% share of total exports. Egypt (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by Egypt (with a CAGR of +61.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest sulphur supplying countries in Africa were South Africa ($X), Zambia ($X) and Libya ($X), together accounting for 98% of total exports. These countries were followed by Egypt, which accounted for a further 0.4%.

Egypt, with a CAGR of +30.4%, 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 more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2022, growing by 50% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Africa (-0.0%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Sulphur Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2022, approx. X tons of sulphur were imported in Africa; waning by -8.6% against 2021. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% over the period 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 when imports increased by 12%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2021, and then reduced in the following year.

In value terms, sulphur imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, recorded a strong increase. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Morocco dominates imports structure, recording X tons, which was near 67% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons), South Africa (X tons) and Senegal (X tons), together comprising a 16% share of total imports. The following importers - Tunisia (X tons), Egypt (X tons) and Zambia (X tons) - each finished at a 12% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to sulphur imports into Morocco stood at +3.8%. At the same time, Democratic Republic of the Congo (+28.2%), Zambia (+8.2%), Senegal (+5.3%) and Egypt (+1.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Democratic Republic of the Congo emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Africa, with a CAGR of +28.2% from 2012-2022. By contrast, South Africa (-1.8%) and Tunisia (-9.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Morocco (+5.7 p.p.) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (+5.6 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of South Africa (-2.9 p.p.) and Tunisia (-10.2 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Morocco ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported sulphur in Africa, comprising 74% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X), with a 7.4% share of total imports. It was followed by South Africa, with a 6.4% share.

In Morocco, sulphur imports increased at an average annual rate of +8.5% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Democratic Republic of the Congo (+27.0% per year) and South Africa (+4.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 121% against the previous year. In general, the import price enjoyed a temperate increase. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Africa (+6.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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