SADC: Activated Carbon Market 2024

Activated Carbon Market Size in SADC

The SADC activated carbon market rose remarkably to $X in 2022, increasing by 6.3% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The level of consumption peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Activated Carbon Production in SADC

In value terms, activated carbon production expanded slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the production volume increased by 27%. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Activated Carbon Exports

Exports in SADC

In 2022, overseas shipments of activated carbon decreased by -3.4% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after five years of growth. Overall, exports, however, saw noticeable growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 230%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, activated carbon exports rose significantly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate prominent growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 71%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

South Africa (X tons) and Mozambique (X tons) were the main exporters of activated carbon in 2022, amounting to near 46% and 32% of total exports, respectively. It was distantly followed by Namibia (X tons), achieving a 17% share of total exports. Zimbabwe (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Mozambique (with a CAGR of +49.7%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest activated carbon supplying countries in SADC were South Africa ($X), Mozambique ($X) and Zimbabwe ($X), together comprising 98% of total exports.

Mozambique, with a CAGR of +50.2%, 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 SADC stood at $X per ton in 2022, picking up by 16% against the previous year. In general, the export price posted a pronounced increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 an increase of 103% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the peak figure in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Mozambique ($X per ton), while Namibia ($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 (+2.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Activated Carbon Imports

Imports in SADC

In 2022, the amount of activated carbon imported in SADC expanded significantly to X tons, growing by 15% on 2021 figures. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 23%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, activated carbon imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated a moderate increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +64.9% against 2019 indices. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

South Africa was the largest importing country with an import of around X tons, which reached 55% of total imports. Tanzania (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 24% share, followed by Zimbabwe (16%).

South Africa experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports of activated carbon. At the same time, Tanzania (+19.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Tanzania emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in SADC, with a CAGR of +19.5% from 2012-2022. Zimbabwe experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. While the share of Tanzania (+19 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of Zimbabwe (-6.6 p.p.) and South Africa (-10.2 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, South Africa ($X), Tanzania ($X) and Zimbabwe ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 94% share of total imports.

Tanzania, with a CAGR of +24.8%, recorded 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 mixed trends in the imports figures.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2022, rising by 13% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.4%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 30% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

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 Tanzania ($X per ton), while Zimbabwe ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Tanzania (+4.4%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform