SADC: Carboxylic Acid Market 2025

Carboxylic Acid Market Size in SADC

The SADC carboxylic acid market was finally on the rise to reach $X in 2021, after two years of decline. Overall, consumption showed a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Carboxylic Acid Production in SADC

In value terms, carboxylic acid production rose slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when the production volume increased by 36%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2021, production growth remained at a lower figure.

Carboxylic Acid Exports

Exports in SADC

In 2021, the amount of carboxylic acid with alcohol, phenol, aldehyde or ketone functions exported in SADC was estimated at X tons, leveling off at 2020 figures. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when exports increased by 18%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, carboxylic acid exports rose significantly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 26%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

South Africa prevails in exports structure, amounting to X tons, which was approx. 98% of total exports in 2021. Swaziland (X tons) took a relatively small share of total exports.

South Africa was also the fastest-growing in terms of the carboxylic acid with alcohol, phenol, aldehyde or ketone functions exports, with a CAGR of +2.6% from 2012 to 2021. Swaziland (-8.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. South Africa (+5.3 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Swaziland saw its share reduced by -3.5% from 2012 to 2021, respectively.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) remains the largest carboxylic acid supplier in SADC, comprising 93% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Swaziland ($X), with a 6.8% share of total exports.

In South Africa, carboxylic acid exports increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the period from 2012-2021.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 7.4% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, recorded a mild decrease. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when the export price increased by 11%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was Swaziland ($X per ton), while South Africa totaled $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Swaziland (+1.3%).

Carboxylic Acid Imports

Imports in SADC

In 2021, overseas purchases of carboxylic acid with alcohol, phenol, aldehyde or ketone functions increased by 1.2% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 20%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, carboxylic acid imports expanded notably to $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, recorded a noticeable reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when imports increased by 17%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

South Africa prevails in imports structure, resulting at X tons, which was approx. 73% of total imports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Tanzania (X tons) and Swaziland (X tons), together mixing up an 18% share of total imports. The following importers - Zimbabwe (X tons), Zambia (X tons) and Mauritius (X tons) - each amounted to a 5.8% share of total imports.

South Africa experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports of carboxylic acid with alcohol, phenol, aldehyde or ketone functions. At the same time, Swaziland (+27.4%), Mauritius (+26.1%), Tanzania (+9.0%), Zambia (+7.1%) and Zimbabwe (+3.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Swaziland emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in SADC, with a CAGR of +27.4% from 2012-2021. Swaziland (+7.5 p.p.) and Tanzania (+4.3 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while South Africa saw its share reduced by -12.2% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported carboxylic acid with alcohol, phenol, aldehyde or ketone functions in SADC, comprising 77% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Swaziland ($X), with a 6.8% share of total imports. It was followed by Tanzania, with a 6.1% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in South Africa stood at -4.4%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Swaziland (+21.4% per year) and Tanzania (+6.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2021, rising by 3.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, saw a pronounced descent. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 9.4%. The level of import peaked 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, the country with the highest price was Zambia ($X per ton), while Mauritius ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Tanzania (-2.6%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform