SADC: Talc And Steatite Market 2024

Talc And Steatite Market Size in SADC

For the ninth consecutive year, the SADC talc and steatite market recorded growth in sales value, which increased by 1.4% to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, consumption, however, continues to indicate a strong increase. The level of consumption peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Talc And Steatite Production in SADC

In value terms, talc and steatite production soared to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, posted strong growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 153% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2021 to 2022, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Talc And Steatite Exports

Exports in SADC

In 2022, shipments abroad of talc and steatite was finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year declining trend. In general, exports saw a temperate expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 224%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, talc and steatite exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate prominent growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 98% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Zambia (X tons) represented the major exporter of talc and steatite, constituting 52% of total exports. Zimbabwe (X tons) held a 32% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by South Africa (12%). Tanzania (X tons) took a little share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exporting countries, was attained by Zimbabwe (with a CAGR of +53.9%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

In value terms, South Africa ($X), Zambia ($X) and Zimbabwe ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 95% share of total exports.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Zimbabwe, with a CAGR of +47.4%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2022, falling by -17.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, showed a measured increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when the export price increased by 106%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was South Africa ($X per ton), while Zambia ($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 mixed trends in the export price figures.

Talc And Steatite Imports

Imports in SADC

In 2022, the amount of talc and steatite imported in SADC declined to X tons, waning by -8% compared with the year before. Over the period under review, imports, however, saw resilient growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 26% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2021, and then reduced in the following year.

In value terms, talc and steatite imports contracted modestly to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated a buoyant expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +33.4% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when imports increased by 41% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2021, and then shrank modestly in the following year.

Imports by Country

South Africa represented the major importer of talc and steatite in SADC, with the volume of imports amounting to X tons, which was near 61% of total imports in 2022. Tanzania (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 17% share, followed by Democratic Republic of the Congo (11%) and Mozambique (5.1%). Angola (X tons) took a relatively small share of total imports.

Imports into South Africa increased at an average annual rate of +7.8% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Tanzania (+14.8%), Mozambique (+14.4%), Angola (+14.1%) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (+5.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Tanzania emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in SADC, with a CAGR of +14.8% from 2012-2022. Tanzania (+7.2 p.p.) and Mozambique (+2 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Africa saw its share reduced by -3.4% and -5% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported talc and steatite in SADC, comprising 64% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X), with a 12% share of total imports. It was followed by Tanzania, with an 8.5% share.

In South Africa, talc and steatite imports expanded at an average annual rate of +4.1% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Democratic Republic of the Congo (+8.6% per year) and Tanzania (+8.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2022, surging by 6% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, recorded a pronounced descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the import price increased by 13%. Over the period under review, import prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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 Angola ($X per ton), while Tanzania ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Democratic Republic of the Congo (+2.6%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform