Ghana: Lime Market 2025

Lime Market Size in Ghana

In 2021, after five years of decline, there was significant growth in the Ghanian lime market, when its value increased by 15% to $X. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Lime Production in Ghana

In value terms, lime production expanded to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the production volume increased by 15%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2016 to 2021, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Lime Exports

Exports from Ghana

In 2021, approx. X tons of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime were exported from Ghana; declining by -20.6% against the previous year's figure. Overall, exports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 with an increase of 59%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, lime exports declined dramatically to $X in 2021. In general, exports recorded a mild downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 with an increase of 45% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Burkina Faso (X tons) was the main destination for lime exports from Ghana, accounting for a 58% share of total exports. Moreover, lime exports to Burkina Faso exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Cote d'Ivoire (X tons), threefold. Mali (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 17% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to Burkina Faso stood at -2.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Cote d'Ivoire (+20.5% per year) and Mali (-1.4% per year).

In value terms, Burkina Faso ($X) remains the key foreign market for quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime exports from Ghana, comprising 63% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Cote d'Ivoire ($X), with a 16% share of total exports. It was followed by Mali, with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to Burkina Faso amounted to -2.7%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Cote d'Ivoire (+28.5% per year) and Mali (-5.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average lime export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, dropping by -3.6% against the previous year. In general, the export price recorded a slight shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the average export price increased by 4.2% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2021, the average export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Niger ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Togo ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Cote d'Ivoire (+6.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Lime Imports

Imports into Ghana

In 2021, supplies from abroad of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime increased by 58% to X tons, rising for the fourth year in a row after four years of decline. In general, imports enjoyed temperate growth. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, lime imports surged to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a perceptible descent. Imports peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Spain (X tons), Turkey (X tons) and France (X tons) were the main suppliers of lime imports to Ghana, with a combined 47% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Tunisia, Portugal, Belgium and Italy, which together accounted for a further 18%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Tunisia (with a CAGR of +61.6%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest lime suppliers to Ghana were Spain ($X), Turkey ($X) and France ($X), together accounting for 45% of total imports. Portugal, Tunisia, Belgium and Italy lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 19%.

Among the main suppliers, Tunisia, with a CAGR of +46.5%, 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

In 2021, the average lime import price amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 5.6% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, recorded a deep downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the average import price increased by 15% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, the countries with the highest prices were Portugal ($X per ton) and Belgium ($X per ton), while the price for Turkey ($X per ton) and Tunisia ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Italy (+3.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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