SADC: Market for Natural Rubber And Gums 2024

Market Size for Natural Rubber And Gums in SADC

In 2022, after three years of growth, there was significant decline in the SADC natural rubber and gum market, when its value decreased by -9% to $X. Over the period under review, consumption recorded a pronounced curtailment. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Production of Natural Rubber And Gums in SADC

In value terms, natural rubber and gum production amounted to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, saw a perceptible contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 36% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of natural rubber and gum production, comprising approx. 98% of total volume.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in Democratic Republic of the Congo amounted to +1.8%.

In 2022, the average natural rubber and gum yield in SADC contracted modestly to X kg per ha, leveling off at 2021 figures. Over the period under review, the yield continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 0.6% against the previous year. As a result, the yield attained the peak level of X kg per ha. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the natural rubber and gum yield remained at a lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, approx. X ha of natural rubber and gums were harvested in SADC; increasing by 8.9% compared with 2021 figures. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to natural rubber and gum production attained the peak figure at X ha in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Exports of Natural Rubber And Gums

Exports in SADC

In 2022, overseas shipments of natural rubber and gums were finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a four-year declining trend. Overall, exports enjoyed a significant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 9,275%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, natural rubber and gum exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports recorded a resilient expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 1,772% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Democratic Republic of the Congo dominates exports structure, resulting at X tons, which was near 95% of total exports in 2022. South Africa (X tons) and Tanzania (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Democratic Republic of the Congo was also the fastest-growing in terms of the natural rubber and gums exports, with a CAGR of +64.3% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Tanzania (+11.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, South Africa (-2.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Democratic Republic of the Congo (+87 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of Tanzania (-4.9 p.p.) and South Africa (-45.3 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X) remains the largest natural rubber and gum supplier in SADC, comprising 74% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by South Africa ($X), with a 21% share of total exports.

In Democratic Republic of the Congo, natural rubber and gum exports increased at an average annual rate of +44.9% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: South Africa (-2.4% per year) and Tanzania (+4.7% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2022, waning by -3.3% against the previous year. In general, the export price saw a deep setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when the export price increased by 40% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, 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 ($X per ton), while Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Africa (+0.2%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Imports of Natural Rubber And Gums

Imports in SADC

In 2022, supplies from abroad of natural rubber and gums decreased by -49.8% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. In general, imports continue to indicate a abrupt downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 416% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, natural rubber and gum imports contracted markedly to $X in 2022. Overall, imports showed a abrupt setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when imports increased by 297%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

South Africa prevails in imports structure, finishing at X tons, which was near 81% of total imports in 2022. Angola (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by Zimbabwe (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 15% share of total imports.

Imports into South Africa decreased at an average annual rate of -6.1% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Angola (+9.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Angola emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in SADC, with a CAGR of +9.5% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Zimbabwe (-11.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. South Africa (+10 p.p.) and Angola (+7.4 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Zimbabwe saw its share reduced by -3.1% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported natural rubber and gums in SADC, comprising 81% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Zimbabwe ($X), with a 7.3% share of total imports.

In South Africa, natural rubber and gum imports decreased by an average annual rate of -6.0% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Zimbabwe (-7.5% per year) and Angola (+0.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2022, rising by 45% against the previous year. Overall, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 an increase of 51%. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Zimbabwe (+4.1%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform