Africa: Sulphuric Acid Market 2024

Sulphuric Acid Market Size in Africa

The African sulphuric acid market rose to $X in 2022, surging by 2.5% against the previous year. The total consumption indicated strong growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.4% 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 -0.6% against 2020 indices. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Sulphuric Acid Production in Africa

In value terms, sulphuric acid production rose slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production decreased by -3.3% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 37%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2022, production growth remained at a lower figure.

Sulphuric Acid Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2022, overseas shipments of sulphuric acid and oleum increased by 114% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Overall, exports saw significant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 481%. The volume of export peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, sulphuric acid exports soared to $X in 2022. In general, exports recorded a strong expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 1,223% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Zambia represented the largest exporting country with an export of about X tons, which resulted at 73% of total exports. It was distantly followed by South Africa (X tons), comprising a 24% share of total exports. Egypt (X tons) took a relatively small share of total exports.

Zambia was also the fastest-growing in terms of the sulphuric acid and oleum exports, with a CAGR of +47.3% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, South Africa (+17.1%) and Egypt (+10.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Zambia increased by +57 percentage points.

In value terms, the largest sulphuric acid supplying countries in Africa were Zambia ($X), South Africa ($X) and Egypt ($X), together accounting for 97% of total exports.

Zambia, with a CAGR of +26.3%, saw 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 more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2022, shrinking by -9.5% against the previous year. In general, the export price showed a abrupt contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 an increase of 127%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2022, the export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

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 Egypt (+6.7%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Sulphuric Acid Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2022, purchases abroad of sulphuric acid and oleum increased by 18% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. Over the period under review, imports enjoyed buoyant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 87%. The volume of import peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, sulphuric acid imports surged to $X in 2022. Overall, imports posted resilient growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 79%. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Morocco represented the largest importer of sulphuric acid and oleum in Africa, with the volume of imports amounting to X tons, which was near 82% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons), constituting an 11% share of total imports. Namibia (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Morocco was also the fastest-growing in terms of the sulphuric acid and oleum imports, with a CAGR of +22.2% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Democratic Republic of the Congo (+7.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Namibia experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. Morocco (+34 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Democratic Republic of the Congo and Namibia saw its share reduced by -13.8% and -14.9% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, Morocco ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported sulphuric acid and oleum in Africa, comprising 62% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X), with a 22% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Morocco totaled +20.4%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Democratic Republic of the Congo (+2.3% per year) and Namibia (-0.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2022, picking up by 6.2% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, continues to indicate a deep reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 an increase of 68%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2022, the 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 Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X per ton), while Morocco ($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 (+0.1%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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