ECOWAS: Potassium Hydroxide Market 2025

Potassium Hydroxide Market Size in ECOWAS

The ECOWAS potassium hydroxide market expanded modestly to $X in 2022, picking up by 4% against the previous year. The total consumption indicated slight growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% 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 -15.8% against 2020 indices. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Potassium Hydroxide Production in ECOWAS

In value terms, potassium hydroxide production rose sharply to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a modest increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% 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 -6.9% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 43%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Potassium Hydroxide Exports

Exports in ECOWAS

In 2022, shipments abroad of potassium hydroxide (caustic potash) increased by 49% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after five years of decline. Overall, exports saw a tangible expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 68%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, potassium hydroxide exports contracted markedly to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, showed a pronounced slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 71%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Niger dominates exports structure, accounting for X tons, which was approx. 87% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Ghana (X tons), constituting a 5.6% share of total exports. The following exporters - Cote d'Ivoire (X tons) and Togo (X tons) - together made up 6.2% of total exports.

Exports from Niger increased at an average annual rate of +11.5% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Cote d'Ivoire (+14.8%) and Ghana (+1.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Cote d'Ivoire emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in ECOWAS, with a CAGR of +14.8% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Togo (-17.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Niger (+44 p.p.) and Cote d'Ivoire (+2.5 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Togo saw its share reduced by -19% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Niger ($X) remains the largest potassium hydroxide supplier in ECOWAS, comprising 63% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Ghana ($X), with a 22% share of total exports. It was followed by Togo, with a 5.3% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Niger amounted to -3.3%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Ghana (+2.3% per year) and Togo (-18.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in ECOWAS amounted to $X per ton, reducing by -51.3% against the previous year. Overall, the export price saw a deep downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the export price increased by 62% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Ghana (+0.5%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Potassium Hydroxide Imports

Imports in ECOWAS

In 2022, purchases abroad of potassium hydroxide (caustic potash) decreased by -57.3% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after five years of growth. Overall, imports, however, enjoyed a perceptible increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by 129%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, potassium hydroxide imports fell sharply to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, enjoyed a slight increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when imports increased by 123% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Nigeria (X tons), Ghana (X tons) and Cote d'Ivoire (X tons) was the largest importer of potassium hydroxide (caustic potash) in ECOWAS, achieving 80% of total import. Togo (X tons) held the next position in the ranking, followed by Burkina Faso (X tons). All these countries together held near 10% share of total imports. Gambia (X tons) and Senegal (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by Cote d'Ivoire (with a CAGR of +15.4%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Nigeria ($X), Ghana ($X) and Cote d'Ivoire ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together accounting for 84% of total imports.

Cote d'Ivoire, with a CAGR of +10.1%, 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

In 2022, the import price in ECOWAS amounted to $X per ton, leveling off at the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, showed a noticeable downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the import price increased by 36%. Over the period under review, import prices attained 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 Senegal ($X per ton), while Togo ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Burkina Faso (+11.7%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform