SADC: Glutamic Acid Market 2024

Glutamic Acid Market Size in SADC

The SADC glutamic acid market soared to $X in 2022, picking up by 36% against the previous year. The total consumption indicated a strong expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +42.2% against 2018 indices. As a result, consumption reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Glutamic Acid Production in SADC

In value terms, glutamic acid production shrank modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when the production volume increased by 31% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2016 to 2022, production growth remained at a lower figure.

Glutamic Acid Exports

Exports in SADC

In 2022, overseas shipments of glutamic acid and its salts decreased by -36% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Overall, exports saw a noticeable shrinkage. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 96% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, glutamic acid exports contracted rapidly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports saw a drastic downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when exports increased by 86%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2022, South Africa (X tons) was the key exporter of glutamic acid and its salts, committing 73% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Zambia (X tons), generating a 22% share of total exports. Mauritius (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to glutamic acid exports from South Africa stood at +16.7%. At the same time, Zambia (+18.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Zambia emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in SADC, with a CAGR of +18.7% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Mauritius (-29.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. South Africa (+62 p.p.) and Zambia (+20 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Mauritius saw its share reduced by -82.7% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) remains the largest glutamic acid supplier in SADC, comprising 85% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Zambia ($X), with a 9.3% share of total exports.

In South Africa, glutamic acid exports expanded at an average annual rate of +14.9% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Zambia (+15.8% per year) and Mauritius (-29.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in SADC amounted to $X per ton, growing by 24% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, recorded a noticeable contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the export price increased by 30% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

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 Mauritius ($X per ton), while Zambia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mauritius (-0.7%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Glutamic Acid Imports

Imports in SADC

In 2022, the amount of glutamic acid and its salts imported in SADC soared to X tons, growing by 16% compared with 2021. Total imports indicated prominent growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +87.1% against 2012 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when imports increased by 18%. The volume of import peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, glutamic acid imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated measured growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +51.1% against 2018 indices. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

South Africa prevails in imports structure, resulting at X tons, which was approx. 84% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Madagascar (X tons), achieving a 7.9% share of total imports. Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons) took a relatively small share of total imports.

South Africa was also the fastest-growing in terms of the glutamic acid and its salts imports, with a CAGR of +7.1% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Madagascar (+5.7%) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (+4.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. South Africa (+4.9 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported glutamic acid and its salts in SADC, comprising 85% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Madagascar ($X), with a 5.6% share of total imports.

In South Africa, glutamic acid imports increased at an average annual rate of +5.1% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Madagascar (+10.1% per year) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (+4.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2022, picking up by 21% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, showed a mild reduction. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X per ton), while Madagascar ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Madagascar (+4.2%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform