SADC: Market for Siliceous Fossil Meals (Kieselguhr, Tripolite and Diatomite) 2025

Market Size for Siliceous Fossil Meals (Kieselguhr, Tripolite and Diatomite) in SADC

The SADC market for siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) fell markedly to $X in 2021, which is down by -21.2% against the previous year. The total consumption indicated a modest increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.0% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption increased by +20.0% against 2019 indices. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Production of Siliceous Fossil Meals (Kieselguhr, Tripolite and Diatomite) in SADC

In value terms, production of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) skyrocketed to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, recorded a resilient increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when the production volume increased by 343%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2016 to 2021, production of growth failed to regain momentum.

Exports of Siliceous Fossil Meals (Kieselguhr, Tripolite and Diatomite)

Exports in SADC

In 2021, shipments abroad of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) decreased by -11.6% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after three years of growth. Overall, exports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 41% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the exports of remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, exports of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) dropped to $X in 2021. In general, exports saw a perceptible reduction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 45% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the exports of remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

South Africa (X tons) and Mozambique (X tons) dominates diatomite) structure, together generating 90% of total exports. The following exporters - Namibia (X tons), Zambia (X tons) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons) - together made up 8% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by Namibia (with a CAGR of +68.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) remains the largest siliceous fossil meal (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) supplier in SADC, comprising 81% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Mozambique ($X), with a 7.3% share of total exports. It was followed by Democratic Republic of the Congo, with a 4.6% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in South Africa amounted to -4.6%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Mozambique (+8.2% per year) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (+14.7% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2021, rising by 4.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, saw a noticeable decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when the export price increased by 50% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2016 to 2021, the export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X per ton), while Mozambique ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mozambique (+5.2%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Imports of Siliceous Fossil Meals (Kieselguhr, Tripolite and Diatomite)

Imports in SADC

Imports of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) dropped dramatically to X tons in 2021, waning by -25.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when imports increased by 52%. Over the period under review, imports of attained the maximum at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, imports of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) declined significantly to $X in 2021. Total imports indicated mild growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +13.9% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 64%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of imports of failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

South Africa was the main importing country with an import of about X tons, which recorded 52% of total imports. Angola (X tons) held a 17% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Democratic Republic of the Congo (7.3%), Tanzania (5.5%), Zambia (5.4%) and Mozambique (4.8%). Madagascar (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into South Africa decreased at an average annual rate of -2.6% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Angola (+19.0%), Zambia (+8.1%), Democratic Republic of the Congo (+4.7%) and Madagascar (+4.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Angola emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in SADC, with a CAGR of +19.0% from 2012-2021. Mozambique experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Tanzania (-3.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Angola, Zambia and Democratic Republic of the Congo increased by +13, +2.8 and +2.5 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X), Angola ($X) and Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, together comprising 71% of total imports.

Angola, with a CAGR of +24.7%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in SADC amounted to $X per ton, growing by 6.4% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.4%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 13% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2021, the import prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Madagascar (+4.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform