Report Update Jun 1, 2025

South Africa - Asbestos - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights

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South Africa: Asbestos Market 2025

Asbestos Market Size in South Africa

The South African asbestos market dropped dramatically to $X in 2022, shrinking by 99.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption faced a sharp curtailment. Asbestos consumption peaked at $X in 2021, and then dropped significantly in the following year.

Asbestos Production in South Africa

In value terms, asbestos production stood at $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 471,763,300%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Asbestos Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2022, shipments abroad of asbestoses decreased by 99.9% to X kg for the first time since 2017, thus ending a four-year rising trend. Over the period under review, exports recorded a significant decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 635% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, asbestos exports fell markedly to $X in 2022. In general, exports continue to indicate a dramatic decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 686% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Botswana (X kg) and Malawi (X kg) were the main destinations of asbestos exports from South Africa.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Malawi (with a CAGR of -15.1%).

In value terms, the largest markets for asbestos exported from South Africa were Botswana ($X) and Malawi ($X).

Malawi, with a CAGR of +14.6%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review.

Export Prices by Country

The average asbestos export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, growing by 617% against the previous year. In general, the export price posted significant growth. As a result, the export price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Average prices varied noticeably for the major external markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Malawi ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Botswana stood at $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Malawi (+35.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Asbestos Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2022, approx. X kg of asbestoses were imported into South Africa; waning by 99.9% on the previous year. Overall, imports recorded a significant decline. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 89% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2021, and then declined rapidly in the following year.

In value terms, asbestos imports declined notably to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a precipitous shrinkage. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 65% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at $X in 2021, and then contracted notably in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Botswana (X kg) was the main supplier of asbestos to South Africa, with a approx. 100% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Botswana stood at +46.3%.

In value terms, Botswana ($X) constituted the largest supplier of asbestoses to South Africa.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from Botswana totaled +45.3%.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average asbestos import price amounted to $X per ton, falling by -34.7% against the previous year. Overall, the import price recorded a deep reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the average import price increased by 45%. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

As there is only one major supplying country, the average price level is determined by prices for Botswana.

From 2012 to 2022, the rate of growth in terms of prices for China amounted to +19.3% per year.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :

What are the largest markets for asbestos in the world?

The countries with the highest volumes of in 2021 were India, China and Russia, with a combined 56% share of global consumption. These countries were followed by Maldives, Indonesia, Uzbekistan, Iran, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, Kazakhstan and Bangladesh, which together accounted for a further 34%.

What are the largest producers of asbestos in the world?

Russia constituted the country with the largest volume of asbestos production, comprising approx. 55% of total volume. Moreover, asbestos production in Russia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Kazakhstan, threefold. Brazil ranked third in terms of total production with an 11% share.

What are the leading suppliers of asbestos to South Africa?

In value terms, Brazil $80) constituted the largest supplier of asbestos to South Africa, comprising 77% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by China $19), with an 18% share of total imports.

What are the leading importers of asbestos from South Africa?

In value terms, India remains the key foreign market for asbestos exports from South Africa, comprising 93% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Zimbabwe, with a 5.2% share of total exports.

What is the average export price for asbestos in South Africa?

In 2021, the average asbestos export price amounted to $569 per ton, declining by -17.1% against the previous year.

What is the average import price for asbestos in South Africa?

The average asbestos import price stood at $477 per ton in 2021, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year.

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the asbestos market in South Africa. Within it, you will discover the latest data on market trends and opportunities by country, consumption, production and price developments, as well as the global trade (imports and exports). The forecast exhibits the market prospects through 2030.

Product coverage:

Country coverage:

South Africa

Data coverage:

Market volume and value
Per Capita consumption
Forecast of the market dynamics in the medium term
Trade (exports and imports) in South Africa
Export and import prices
Market trends, drivers and restraints
Key market players and their profiles

Reasons to buy this report:

Take advantage of the latest data
Find deeper insights into current market developments
Discover vital success factors affecting the market

This report is designed for manufacturers, distributors, importers, and wholesalers, as well as for investors, consultants and advisors.

In this report, you can find information that helps you to make informed decisions on the following issues:

How to diversify your business and benefit from new market opportunities
How to load your idle production capacity
How to boost your sales on overseas markets
How to increase your profit margins
How to make your supply chain more sustainable
How to reduce your production and supply chain costs
How to outsource production to other countries
How to prepare your business for global expansion

While doing this research, we combine the accumulated expertise of our analysts and the capabilities of artificial intelligence. The AI-based platform, developed by our data scientists, constitutes the key working tool for business analysts, empowering them to discover deep insights and ideas from the marketing data.

1. INTRODUCTION

Making Data-Driven Decisions to Grow Your Business
1. REPORT DESCRIPTION
2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND THE AI PLATFORM
3. DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
4. GLOSSARY AND SPECIFIC TERMS
2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

A Quick Overview of Market Performance
1. KEY FINDINGS
2. MARKET TRENDSThis Chapter is Available Only for the Professional EditionPRO
3. MARKET OVERVIEW

Understanding the Current State of The Market and its Prospects
1. MARKET SIZE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
2. MARKET STRUCTURE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
3. TRADE BALANCE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
4. PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
5. MARKET FORECAST TO 2035
4. MOST PROMISING PRODUCTS FOR DIVERSIFICATION

Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business
- This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional EditionPRO
1. TOP PRODUCTS TO DIVERSIFY YOUR BUSINESS
2. BEST-SELLING PRODUCTS
3. MOST CONSUMED PRODUCTS
4. MOST TRADED PRODUCTS
5. MOST PROFITABLE PRODUCTS FOR EXPORTS
5. MOST PROMISING SUPPLYING COUNTRIES

Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain
- This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional EditionPRO
1. TOP COUNTRIES TO SOURCE YOUR PRODUCT
2. TOP PRODUCING COUNTRIES
3. TOP EXPORTING COUNTRIES
4. LOW-COST EXPORTING COUNTRIES
6. MOST PROMISING OVERSEAS MARKETS

Choosing the Best Countries to Boost Your Export
- This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional EditionPRO
1. TOP OVERSEAS MARKETS FOR EXPORTING YOUR PRODUCT
2. TOP CONSUMING MARKETS
3. UNSATURATED MARKETS
4. TOP IMPORTING MARKETS
5. MOST PROFITABLE MARKETS
7. PRODUCTION

The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry
1. PRODUCTION VOLUME AND VALUE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
8. IMPORTS

The Largest Import Supplying Countries
1. IMPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
2. IMPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)
3. IMPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)
9. EXPORTS

The Largest Destinations for Exports
1. EXPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
2. EXPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)
3. EXPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)
10. PROFILES OF MAJOR PRODUCERS

The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles
- This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional EditionPRO
LIST OF TABLES
1. Key Findings In 2024
2. Market Volume, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
3. Market Value: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
4. Per Capita Consumption: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
5. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
6. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
7. Import Prices, By Country, 2012–2024
8. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
9. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
10. Export Prices, By Country, 2012–2024
LIST OF FIGURES
1. Market Volume, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
2. Market Value: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
3. Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, in Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
4. Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, in Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
5. Trade Balance, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
6. Trade Balance, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
7. Per Capita Consumption: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
8. Market Volume Forecast to 2035
9. Market Value Forecast to 2035
10. Market Size and Growth, By Product
11. Average Per Capita Consumption, By Product
12. Exports and Growth, By Product
13. Export Prices and Growth, By Product
14. Production Volume and Growth
15. Exports and Growth
16. Export Prices and Growth
17. Market Size and Growth
18. Per Capita Consumption
19. Imports and Growth
20. Import Prices
21. Production, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
22. Production, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
23. Imports, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
24. Imports, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
25. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
26. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
27. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
28. Import Prices, By Country, 2012–2024
29. Exports, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
30. Exports, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
31. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
32. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
33. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
34. Export Prices, By Country, 2012–2024