SADC: Carbon Electrode Market 2024

Carbon Electrode Market Size in SADC

In 2022, the SADC carbon electrode market increased by 0.2% to $X, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. Overall, consumption showed a mild curtailment. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Carbon Electrode Production in SADC

In value terms, carbon electrode production reduced to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production continues to indicate a perceptible downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 182% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2022, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Carbon Electrode Exports

Exports in SADC

In 2022, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in overseas shipments of carbon electrodes, when their volume increased by 17% to X tons. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a precipitous slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when exports increased by 151%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, carbon electrode exports rose significantly to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, faced a sharp reduction. The level of export peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

South Africa prevails in exports structure, reaching X tons, which was approx. 81% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Swaziland (X tons) and Mozambique (X tons), together achieving a 16% share of total exports. Zambia (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Exports from South Africa decreased at an average annual rate of -38.3% from 2012 to 2022. Zambia (-4.9%), Swaziland (-6.6%) and Mozambique (-44.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Swaziland (+9.5 p.p.) and Zambia (+1.8 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Mozambique saw its share reduced by -12.6% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) remains the largest carbon electrode supplier in SADC, comprising 66% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Swaziland ($X), with a 24% share of total exports. It was followed by Mozambique, with an 8.6% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in South Africa amounted to -31.3%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Swaziland (+8.8% per year) and Mozambique (-28.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in SADC amounted to $X per ton, dropping by -8.6% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, recorded a buoyant increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when the export price increased by 321% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2021, and then shrank in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Swaziland ($X per ton), while Zambia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mozambique (+29.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Carbon Electrode Imports

Imports in SADC

In 2022, imports of carbon electrodes in SADC reduced rapidly to X tons, falling by -20.3% compared with 2021. Over the period under review, imports recorded a deep reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 85%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, carbon electrode imports rose rapidly to $X in 2022. In general, imports saw a noticeable downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when imports increased by 172%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

South Africa dominates imports structure, amounting to X tons, which was approx. 90% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Mozambique (X tons), making up a 5.4% share of total imports. The following importers - Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons) and Zambia (X tons) - each resulted at a 4.2% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to carbon electrode imports into South Africa stood at -7.2%. At the same time, Zambia (+2.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Zambia emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in SADC, with a CAGR of +2.3% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Democratic Republic of the Congo (-7.2%) and Mozambique (-9.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of South Africa increased by +3.4 percentage points, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported carbon electrodes in SADC, comprising 90% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Mozambique ($X), with a 6.4% share of total imports. It was followed by Democratic Republic of the Congo, with a 1.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in South Africa amounted to -1.9%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Mozambique (-11.4% per year) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (-9.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in SADC amounted to $X per ton, growing by 36% against the previous year. Import price indicated a noticeable increase from 2012 to 2022: its price 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, carbon electrode import price increased by +46.9% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the import price increased by 46% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices reached the peak figure in 2022 and is expected to retain 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 Mozambique ($X per ton), while Democratic Republic of the Congo ($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 (+5.6%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform