ECOWAS: Market for Siliceous Fossil Meals (Kieselguhr, Tripolite and Diatomite) 2025

Exports of Siliceous Fossil Meals (Kieselguhr, Tripolite and Diatomite)

Exports in ECOWAS

In 2021, approx. X tons of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) were exported in ECOWAS; growing by 132% on the previous year. Overall, exports, however, recorded a noticeable setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 with an increase of 137% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, exports of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) surged to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, showed a abrupt setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 100%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Nigeria (X tons) represented the largest exporter of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite), mixing up 64% of total exports. Senegal (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 24% share, followed by Togo (8%). Cote d'Ivoire (X kg) held a little share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to siliceous fossil meal (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) exports from Nigeria stood at +10.8%. At the same time, Senegal (+13.0%) and Cote d'Ivoire (+7.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Senegal emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in ECOWAS, with a CAGR of +13.0% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Togo (-12.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Nigeria, Senegal, Togo and Cote d'Ivoire increased by +43, +18, +8 and +2.2 percentage points, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest siliceous fossil meal (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) supplying countries in ECOWAS were Nigeria ($X), Togo ($X) and Senegal ($X), with a combined 88% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Cote d'Ivoire, which accounted for a further 12%.

Cote d'Ivoire, with a CAGR of +26.9%, 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 ECOWAS stood at $X per ton in 2021, which is down by -19.1% against the previous year. Overall, the export price showed a abrupt slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the export price increased by 81% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2021, 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 Togo ($X per ton), while Nigeria ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Togo (+37.8%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Imports of Siliceous Fossil Meals (Kieselguhr, Tripolite and Diatomite)

Imports in ECOWAS

In 2021, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in supplies from abroad of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite), when their volume increased by 77% to X tons. Overall, imports saw strong growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when imports increased by 109% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of imports of failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, imports of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) soared to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports recorded strong growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 153% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of imports of failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Nigeria was the largest importing country with an import of around X tons, which reached 57% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Burkina Faso (X tons), Ghana (X tons) and Cote d'Ivoire (X tons), together constituting a 28% share of total imports. Togo (X tons), Benin (X tons) and Guinea (X tons) held a minor share of total imports.

Imports into Nigeria increased at an average annual rate of +7.6% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Burkina Faso (+17.2%), Guinea (+17.1%), Benin (+11.7%), Ghana (+9.7%), Cote d'Ivoire (+7.6%) and Togo (+5.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Burkina Faso emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in ECOWAS, with a CAGR of +17.2% from 2012-2021. Burkina Faso (+6.1 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Nigeria saw its share reduced by -5.1% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Nigeria ($X), Burkina Faso ($X) and Cote d'Ivoire ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, together accounting for 72% of total imports.

In terms of the main importing countries, Burkina Faso, with a CAGR of +22.1%, recorded the highest growth rate of 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

In 2021, the import price in ECOWAS amounted to $X per ton, which is down by -8.8% against the previous year. In general, the import price saw a mild reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when the import price increased by 21% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2021, the import prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Burkina Faso (+4.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform