SADC: Rare Gases Market 2024

Rare Gases Market Size in SADC

The SADC rare gases market rose sharply to $X in 2022, with an increase of 9.2% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Rare Gases Production in SADC

In value terms, rare gases production expanded markedly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, enjoyed a buoyant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 23%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2021 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Rare Gases Exports

Exports in SADC

In 2022, overseas shipments of rare gases (excluding argon) decreased by -50.4% to X cubic meters, falling for the second year in a row after five years of growth. Overall, exports faced a abrupt contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 29% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X cubic meters in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, rare gases exports shrank significantly to $X in 2022. In general, exports showed a abrupt curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when exports increased by 70%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Zambia (X cubic meters) represented the main exporter of rare gases (excluding argon), constituting 64% of total exports. It was distantly followed by South Africa (X cubic meters) and Mauritius (X cubic meters), together achieving a 30% share of total exports. The following exporters - Angola (X cubic meters) and Namibia (X cubic meters) - together made up 5.4% of total exports.

Zambia was also the fastest-growing in terms of the rare gases (excluding argon) exports, with a CAGR of +46.5% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Mauritius (+30.5%), Angola (+21.4%) and Namibia (+5.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, South Africa (-26.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Zambia (+64 p.p.), Mauritius (+9 p.p.), Angola (+3.5 p.p.) and Namibia (+1.6 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of South Africa (-77.1 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) remains the largest rare gases supplier in SADC, comprising 82% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Zambia ($X), with a 9% share of total exports. It was followed by Angola, with a 4% share.

In South Africa, rare gases exports plunged by an average annual rate of -20.9% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Zambia (+16.8% per year) and Angola (+23.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in SADC amounted to $X per cubic meter, which is down by -68.3% against the previous year. Overall, the export price recorded a abrupt contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 an increase of 32% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per cubic meter in 2021, and then reduced remarkably in the following year.

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 South Africa ($X per cubic meter), while Zambia ($X per cubic meter) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Africa (+7.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Rare Gases Imports

Imports in SADC

In 2022, imports of rare gases (excluding argon) in SADC surged to X cubic meters, picking up by 28% compared with the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, imports, however, saw a abrupt curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when imports increased by 45%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X cubic meters in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, rare gases imports rose markedly to $X in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 55%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, South Africa (X cubic meters) represented the major importer of rare gases (excluding argon), achieving 41% of total imports. Angola (X cubic meters) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 14% share, followed by Tanzania (13%), Botswana (9.1%), Democratic Republic of the Congo (5.8%) and Mozambique (4.7%). Zambia (X cubic meters) took a relatively small share of total imports.

South Africa experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports of rare gases (excluding argon). At the same time, Mozambique (+32.6%), Tanzania (+25.2%) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (+15.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Mozambique emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in SADC, with a CAGR of +32.6% from 2012-2022. Zambia experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Angola (-4.7%) and Botswana (-33.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of South Africa (+35 p.p.), Tanzania (+13 p.p.), Angola (+10 p.p.), Democratic Republic of the Congo (+5.7 p.p.), Mozambique (+4.7 p.p.) and Zambia (+3.4 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of Botswana (-73.1 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported rare gases (excluding argon) in SADC, comprising 71% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Angola ($X), with a 7.6% share of total imports. It was followed by Mozambique, with a 4.2% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in South Africa stood at +4.4%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Angola (-0.9% per year) and Mozambique (+27.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in SADC amounted to $X per cubic meter, reducing by -16.6% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, saw a significant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 193%. The level of import peaked at $X per cubic meter in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was South Africa ($X per cubic meter), while Tanzania ($X per cubic meter) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Botswana (+32.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform