SADC: Common Clay Market 2025

Common Clay Market Size in SADC

The SADC common clay market amounted to $X in 2022, standing approx. at the previous year. In general, consumption recorded a deep slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the market value increased by 3.8%. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Common Clay Production in SADC

In value terms, common clay production reached $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production recorded a abrupt setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Common Clay Exports

Exports in SADC

In 2022, the amount of common clay exported in SADC declined slightly to X tons, approximately mirroring the previous year's figure. In general, exports continue to indicate a abrupt shrinkage. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 267% against the previous year. 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, common clay exports expanded slightly to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 285% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

The shipments of the one major exporters of common clay, namely South Africa, represented more than two-thirds of total export.

South Africa experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of exports of common clay. South Africa (+43 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) also remains the largest common clay supplier in SADC.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in South Africa stood at +3.4%.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in SADC amounted to $X per ton, rising by 3.3% against the previous year. Export price indicated resilient growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +5.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, common clay export price increased by +16.4% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 25% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

As there is only one major export destination, the average price level is determined by prices for South Africa.

From 2012 to 2022, the rate of growth in terms of prices for South Africa amounted to +2.7% per year.

Common Clay Imports

Imports in SADC

In 2022, approx. X tons of common clay were imported in SADC; surging by 12% on 2021 figures. In general, imports, however, recorded a perceptible descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 23% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, common clay imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 41%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

South Africa was the largest importer of common clay in SADC, with the volume of imports resulting at X tons, which was approx. 52% of total imports in 2022. Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons) took a 14% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Mozambique (13%), Zambia (6.8%) and Angola (6%). Tanzania (X tons) and Namibia (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into South Africa decreased at an average annual rate of -4.0% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Zambia (+28.3%), Mozambique (+22.7%) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (+17.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Zambia emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in SADC, with a CAGR of +28.3% from 2012-2022. Angola experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Namibia (-9.8%) and Tanzania (-14.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Democratic Republic of the Congo (+12 p.p.), Mozambique (+12 p.p.), Zambia (+6.4 p.p.) and Angola (+1.8 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Namibia, South Africa and Tanzania saw its share reduced by -2%, -5.6% and -7.8% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, the largest common clay importing markets in SADC were South Africa ($X), Mozambique ($X) and Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X), with a combined 82% share of total imports.

Mozambique, with a CAGR of +30.7%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2022, increasing by 3.8% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.7%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 30% against the previous year. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Mozambique ($X per ton), while Tanzania ($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 (+6.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform