SADC: Copper Matte Market 2025

Copper Matte Market Size in SADC

The SADC copper matte market expanded modestly to $X in 2022, with an increase of 3.9% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Copper Matte Production in SADC

In value terms, copper matte production rose notably to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 30% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2021 to 2022, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Copper Matte Exports

Exports in SADC

In 2022, after three years of decline, there was significant growth in overseas shipments of copper mattes and cement copper, when their volume increased by 13% to X tons. Overall, exports showed noticeable growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 206%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, copper matte exports rose significantly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports recorded a prominent increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 270%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Democratic Republic of the Congo was the key exporter of copper mattes and cement copper in SADC, with the volume of exports amounting to X tons, which was near 61% of total exports in 2022. Zambia (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Tanzania (X tons) and Namibia (X tons). All these countries together held near 34% share of total exports. Zimbabwe (X tons) held a minor share of total exports.

Exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo increased at an average annual rate of +31.5% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Tanzania (+36.7%) and Zimbabwe (+21.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Tanzania emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in SADC, with a CAGR of +36.7% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Zambia (-2.4%) and Namibia (-17.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Democratic Republic of the Congo (+56 p.p.), Tanzania (+7.3 p.p.) and Zimbabwe (+2.9 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of Zambia (-10.9 p.p.) and Namibia (-48.2 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X) remains the largest copper matte supplier in SADC, comprising 60% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Zambia ($X), with a 15% share of total exports. It was followed by Namibia, with a 6.5% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Democratic Republic of the Congo amounted to +33.9%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Zambia (+0.6% per year) and Namibia (-11.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2022, shrinking by -2.1% against the previous year. Export price indicated notable growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 an increase of 26%. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2021, and then declined in the following year.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, major exporting countries recorded the following prices: in Zimbabwe ($X per ton) and Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X per ton), while Zambia ($X per ton) and Tanzania ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Namibia (+7.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Copper Matte Imports

Imports in SADC

After three years of decline, supplies from abroad of copper mattes and cement copper increased by 34% to X tons in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, saw a deep slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 143%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, copper matte imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, saw a perceptible decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when imports increased by 135%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Malawi (X tons) and Zambia (X tons) were the largest importers of copper mattes and cement copper in 2022, accounting for near 44% and 35% of total imports, respectively. It was distantly followed by Mozambique (X tons), making up a 14% share of total imports. South Africa (X tons) and Swaziland (X tons) took a little share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by South Africa (with a CAGR of +70.7%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest copper matte importing markets in SADC were Malawi ($X), Zambia ($X) and Mozambique ($X), with a combined 92% share of total imports.

In terms of the main importing countries, Mozambique, with a CAGR of +60.3%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, 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, growing by 7.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 an increase of 75% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2020 to 2022, the import prices failed to regain momentum.

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 South Africa ($X per ton), while Mozambique ($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 (+7.7%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform