SADC: Lithium Carbonate Market 2025

Lithium Carbonate Market Size in SADC

The SADC lithium carbonate market soared to $X in 2021, increasing by 42% against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, recorded a abrupt setback. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Lithium Carbonate Production in SADC

In value terms, lithium carbonate production fell to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, recorded a pronounced descent. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the production volume increased by 699% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2021, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Lithium Carbonate Exports

Exports in SADC

For the third year in a row, SADC recorded decline in shipments abroad of lithium carbonates, which decreased by -29.8% to X tons in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw a perceptible expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 175% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, lithium carbonate exports soared to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, posted a noticeable expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 216% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

South Africa (X tons) and Zimbabwe (X tons) dominates exports structure, together comprising 98% of total exports. Namibia (X kg) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Namibia (with a CAGR of +51.3%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) emerged as the largest lithium carbonate supplier in SADC, comprising 68% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Zimbabwe ($X), with a 32% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in South Africa was relatively modest. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Zimbabwe (+34.8% per year) and Namibia (+39.7% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in SADC amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 113% against the previous year. In general, the export price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 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 ($X per ton), while Namibia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Africa (+2.0%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Lithium Carbonate Imports

Imports in SADC

In 2021, imports of lithium carbonates in SADC skyrocketed to X tons, increasing by 34% against the previous year. In general, imports, however, continue to indicate a abrupt curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when imports increased by 1,113%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, lithium carbonate imports totaled $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, saw a noticeable decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when imports increased by 1,876% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

South Africa represented the major importing country with an import of about X tons, which amounted to 87% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons), comprising an 11% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to lithium carbonate imports into South Africa stood at -9.1%. At the same time, Democratic Republic of the Congo (+17.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Democratic Republic of the Congo emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in SADC, with a CAGR of +17.5% from 2012-2021. Democratic Republic of the Congo (+9.7 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while South Africa saw its share reduced by -7.1% from 2012 to 2021, respectively.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported lithium carbonates in SADC, comprising 94% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X), with a 3.4% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in South Africa amounted to -5.0%.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in SADC amounted to $X per ton, dropping by -25.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, continues to indicate perceptible growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the import price increased by 63%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2021, the import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Africa (+4.6%).

Source: IndexBox Platform