SADC: Quicklime Market 2024

Quicklime Market Size in SADC

The SADC quicklime market reduced slightly to $X in 2022, falling by -4.3% against the previous year. Overall, consumption continues to indicate a slight shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 9.3% against the previous year. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Quicklime Production in SADC

In value terms, quicklime production declined to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production continues to indicate a noticeable curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the production volume increased by 12%. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Quicklime Exports

Exports in SADC

In 2022, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in shipments abroad of quicklime, when their volume increased by 38% to X tons. In general, exports recorded strong growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when exports increased by 43% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

In value terms, quicklime exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports recorded a perceptible increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when exports increased by 63%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Zambia was the main exporting country with an export of around X tons, which finished at 66% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Tanzania (X tons), making up a 30% share of total exports. South Africa (X tons) took a relatively small share of total exports.

Zambia was also the fastest-growing in terms of the quicklime exports, with a CAGR of +22.7% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Tanzania (+12.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, South Africa (-17.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Zambia (+48 p.p.) and Tanzania (+9.7 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while South Africa saw its share reduced by -57.2% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, Zambia ($X) remains the largest quicklime supplier in SADC, comprising 69% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Tanzania ($X), with a 25% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Zambia stood at +16.8%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Tanzania (+4.2% per year) and South Africa (-17.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2022, growing by 11% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, continues to indicate a perceptible curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the export price increased by 14%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was South Africa ($X per ton), while Tanzania ($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 (+0.3%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Quicklime Imports

Imports in SADC

In 2022, the amount of quicklime imported in SADC surged to X tons, picking up by 32% on 2021. Over the period under review, imports saw strong growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 108% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, quicklime imports surged to $X in 2022. Overall, imports enjoyed a strong increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 108% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Democratic Republic of the Congo dominates imports structure, accounting for X tons, which was approx. 71% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Zambia (X tons), Zimbabwe (X tons) and South Africa (X tons), together achieving a 23% share of total imports. Botswana (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into Democratic Republic of the Congo increased at an average annual rate of +13.0% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Zimbabwe (+31.1%), Botswana (+11.1%) and Zambia (+9.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Zimbabwe emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in SADC, with a CAGR of +31.1% from 2012-2022. South Africa experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. Democratic Republic of the Congo (+13 p.p.) and Zimbabwe (+6.2 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while South Africa saw its share reduced by -12.3% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported quicklime in SADC, comprising 60% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Zambia ($X), with a 14% share of total imports. It was followed by South Africa, with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Democratic Republic of the Congo amounted to +5.9%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Zambia (+7.5% per year) and South Africa (+3.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in SADC amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 3% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, recorded a perceptible downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when the import price increased by 6.4%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 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 South Africa ($X per ton), while Botswana ($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 (+3.8%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform