South Africa: Alums Market 2024

Alums Market Size in South Africa

In 2022, the South African alums market increased by 39% to $X, rising for the third year in a row after two years of decline. In general, consumption recorded perceptible growth. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Alums Production in South Africa

In value terms, alums production totaled $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production continues to indicate a precipitous slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 12%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Alums Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas shipments of alums, when their volume decreased by -95.3% to X tons. In general, exports recorded a deep downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 4,525% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2021, and then fell dramatically in the following year.

In value terms, alums exports shrank remarkably to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports saw a perceptible descent. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 3,847% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2021, and then declined rapidly in the following year.

Exports by Country

Mozambique (X tons) was the main destination for alums exports from South Africa, accounting for a 69% share of total exports. Moreover, alums exports to Mozambique exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Zambia (X tons), fourfold. Tanzania (X kg) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 5.3% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to Mozambique stood at +8.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Zambia (+10.2% per year) and Tanzania (+25.0% per year).

In value terms, Mozambique ($X), Madagascar ($X) and Zambia ($X) appeared to be the largest markets for alums exported from South Africa worldwide, with a combined 91% share of total exports. Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Malawi lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 5.4%.

Tanzania, with a CAGR of +19.0%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

Export Prices by Country

The average alums export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, picking up by 2.2% against the previous year. Overall, the export price posted a buoyant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the average export price increased by 127%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2022, the average export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Madagascar ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Zambia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Zimbabwe (+7.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Alums Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2022, purchases abroad of alums increased by 61% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. Overall, imports recorded a noticeable expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 372% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, alums imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. In general, imports enjoyed a resilient expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 212% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2022, France (X tons) constituted the largest alums supplier to South Africa, with a 87% share of total imports. Moreover, alums imports from France exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, India (X tons), sevenfold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from France amounted to +58.3%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: India (-2.6% per year) and China (-56.4% per year).

In value terms, France ($X) constituted the largest supplier of alums to South Africa, comprising 66% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by India ($X), with a 17% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from France totaled +73.0%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: India (+3.9% per year) and China (-38.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average alums import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, increasing by 52% against the previous year. Overall, the import price showed a perceptible expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when the average import price increased by 84%. The import price peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while the price for France ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+42.1%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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