SADC: Carbonate Market 2024

Carbonate Market Size in SADC

The SADC carbonate market was finally on the rise to reach $X in 2021, after two years of decline. In general, consumption saw a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2017 to 2021, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Carbonate Production in SADC

In value terms, carbonate production rose to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production recorded a slight shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the production volume increased by 53%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2017 to 2021, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Carbonate Exports

Exports in SADC

In 2021, the amount of carbonates and peroxocarbonates exported in SADC contracted to X tons, which is down by -5.6% against 2020 figures. Over the period under review, exports recorded a slight curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 54% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, carbonate exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. In general, exports continue to indicate a perceptible contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 82%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Botswana was the major exporting country with an export of about X tons, which amounted to 81% of total exports. It was distantly followed by South Africa (X tons), creating a 13% share of total exports. The following exporters - Tanzania (X tons) and Zambia (X tons) - each finished at a 4% share of total exports.

Exports from Botswana decreased at an average annual rate of -1.6% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Tanzania (+34.4%), Zambia (+4.2%) and South Africa (+2.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Tanzania emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in SADC, with a CAGR of +34.4% from 2012-2021. While the share of South Africa (+3.6 p.p.) and Tanzania (+2.1 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of Botswana (-4.9 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Botswana ($X) remains the largest carbonate supplier in SADC, comprising 62% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by South Africa ($X), with a 20% share of total exports. It was followed by Tanzania, with a 1.1% share.

In Botswana, carbonate exports increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: South Africa (+2.5% per year) and Tanzania (+14.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, saw a mild contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of 98% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2018 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 South Africa ($X per ton), while Tanzania ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Botswana (+3.8%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Carbonate Imports

Imports in SADC

In 2021, overseas purchases of carbonates and peroxocarbonates increased by 4% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when imports increased by 19% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, carbonate imports surged to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by 25% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

South Africa represented the major importing country with an import of around X tons, which reached 69% of total imports. Tanzania (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, followed by Angola (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 20% share of total imports. Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons) held a relatively small share of total imports.

Imports into South Africa increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Angola (+14.6%), Democratic Republic of the Congo (+12.4%) and Tanzania (+6.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Angola emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in SADC, with a CAGR of +14.6% from 2012-2021. Angola (+5 p.p.), Tanzania (+3.6 p.p.) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (+1.5 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while South Africa saw its share reduced by -1.7% from 2012 to 2021, respectively.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported carbonates and peroxocarbonates in SADC, comprising 67% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Tanzania ($X), with a 10% share of total imports. It was followed by Angola, with a 7.7% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in South Africa amounted to +1.6%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Tanzania (+4.9% per year) and Angola (+13.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2021, rising by 13% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of 14%. Over the period under review, import prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X per ton), while Tanzania ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Democratic Republic of the Congo (+0.7%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform