SADC: Natural Polymers Market 2025

Natural Polymers Market Size in SADC

In 2021, the SADC natural polymers market was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2016, thus ending a four-year declining trend. Over the period under review, consumption recorded a mild decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when the market value increased by 6.7% against the previous year. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Natural Polymers Production in SADC

In value terms, natural polymers production rose slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when the production volume increased by 13%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2017 to 2021, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Natural Polymers Exports

Exports in SADC

In 2021, exports of natural and modified natural polymers in primary forms in SADC skyrocketed to X tons, growing by 16% against the year before. In general, exports showed a significant increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 239%. The volume of export peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, natural polymers exports rose sharply to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports posted a strong expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 116% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum in 2021 and are likely to continue growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

The shipments of the one major exporters of natural and modified natural polymers in primary forms, namely South Africa, represented more than two-thirds of total export.

South Africa was also the fastest-growing in terms of the natural and modified natural polymers in primary forms exports, with a CAGR of +28.5% from 2012 to 2021. From 2012 to 2021, the share of South Africa increased by +11 percentage points, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

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

In South Africa, natural polymers exports expanded at an average annual rate of +12.5% over the period from 2012-2021.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in SADC amounted to $X per ton, waning by -7.1% against the previous year. In general, the export price faced a abrupt curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 an increase of 14% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the rate of growth in terms of prices for South Africa amounted to -12.5% per year.

Natural Polymers Imports

Imports in SADC

In 2021, imports of natural and modified natural polymers in primary forms in SADC fell slightly to X tons, with a decrease of -2.7% against 2020 figures. Overall, imports saw a slight descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 46% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, natural polymers imports shrank to $X in 2021. Total imports indicated notable growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +40.8% against 2017 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 27% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

South Africa was the largest importer of natural and modified natural polymers in primary forms in SADC, with the volume of imports reaching X tons, which was near 55% of total imports in 2021. Tanzania (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Angola (X tons) and Mauritius (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 29% share of total imports. Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons), Swaziland (X tons) and Mozambique (X tons) took a little share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to natural polymers imports into South Africa stood at -1.2%. At the same time, Mauritius (+21.0%), Swaziland (+19.1%), Democratic Republic of the Congo (+14.1%), Mozambique (+11.9%) and Tanzania (+4.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Mauritius emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in SADC, with a CAGR of +21.0% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Angola (-13.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Tanzania (+6.4 p.p.), Mauritius (+4.6 p.p.), Democratic Republic of the Congo (+2.9 p.p.), Swaziland (+2.8 p.p.) and Mozambique (+2.2 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Angola saw its share reduced by -14.5% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported natural and modified natural polymers in primary forms in SADC, comprising 69% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Tanzania ($X), with a 7% share of total imports. It was followed by Democratic Republic of the Congo, with a 6.9% share.

In South Africa, natural polymers imports increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Tanzania (+4.2% per year) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (+16.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in SADC amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 2.7% against the previous year. Import price indicated a temperate increase from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, natural polymers import price increased by +72.0% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when the import price increased by 52%. The level of import peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X per ton), while Tanzania ($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 (+4.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform