South Africa: Abrasives Market 2025

Abrasives Market Size in South Africa

For the third consecutive year, the South African abrasives market recorded decline in sales value, which decreased by -11.9% to $X in 2021. Overall, consumption showed a relatively flat trend pattern. 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.

Abrasives Production in South Africa

In value terms, abrasives production expanded modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production posted a buoyant expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when the production volume increased by 245%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Abrasives Exports

Exports from South Africa

After two years of decline, shipments abroad of abrasives (natural) increased by 68% to X tons in 2021. Overall, exports posted a significant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 1,858%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, abrasives exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports posted a significant increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 670% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

The United States (X tons) was the main destination for abrasives exports from South Africa, accounting for a 80% share of total exports. Moreover, abrasives exports to the United States exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Sweden (X tons), more than tenfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Germany (X tons), with a 2.3% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to the United States stood at +237.9%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Sweden (+217.9% per year) and Germany (+258.1% per year).

In value terms, the United States ($X) remains the key foreign market for abrasives (natural) exports from South Africa, comprising 65% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Sweden ($X), with a 5.1% share of total exports. It was followed by Germany, with a 3.8% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to the United States stood at +200.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Sweden (+257.3% per year) and Germany (+228.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average abrasives export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 2.2% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, recorded a deep contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 an increase of 191%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2017 to 2021, the average export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Brazil ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to the United States ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Sweden (+12.4%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Abrasives Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2021, the amount of abrasives (natural) imported into South Africa surged to X tons, jumping by 28% compared with 2020 figures. Over the period under review, imports, however, faced a precipitous slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when imports increased by 60%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, abrasives imports soared to $X in 2021. In general, imports, however, faced a abrupt setback. Imports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Turkey (X tons), China (X tons) and Australia (X tons) were the main suppliers of abrasives imports to South Africa, with a combined 76% share of total imports. These countries were followed by the United Arab Emirates, Japan, the United States and the UK, which together accounted for a further 20%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Japan (with a CAGR of +73.4%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($X), the United Arab Emirates ($X) and Turkey ($X) constituted the largest abrasives suppliers to South Africa, with a combined 50% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Japan, Australia, the UK and the United States, which together accounted for a further 19%.

Japan, with a CAGR of +82.0%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average abrasives import price amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 29% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price posted a strong increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the average import price increased by 138%. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the maximum in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was the UK ($X per ton), while the price for Turkey ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United Arab Emirates (+48.4%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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