South Africa: Bentonite Market 2024

Bentonite Market Size in South Africa

In 2022, the South African bentonite market increased by 25% to $X, rising for the second consecutive year after three years of decline. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Bentonite consumption peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Bentonite Production in South Africa

In value terms, bentonite production reduced slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production showed a mild reduction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 49%. Bentonite production peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Bentonite Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2022, overseas shipments of bentonite decreased by -0.9% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after three years of growth. Over the period under review, total exports indicated moderate growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports decreased by -1.6% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when exports increased by 51% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, bentonite exports rose slightly to $X in 2022. In general, exports recorded a noticeable setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when exports increased by 25%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Zimbabwe (X tons) was the main destination for bentonite exports from South Africa, with a 41% share of total exports. Moreover, bentonite exports to Zimbabwe exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Zambia (X tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was held by Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons), with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Zimbabwe totaled +52.9%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Zambia (+0.8% per year) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (+10.3% per year).

In value terms, the largest markets for bentonite exported from South Africa were Zimbabwe ($X), the United States ($X) and Zambia ($X), together comprising 52% of total exports.

Zimbabwe, with a CAGR of +32.5%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average bentonite export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, growing by 3.5% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, saw a abrupt contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the average export price increased by 56%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Cote d'Ivoire ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Zimbabwe ($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 Cote d'Ivoire (+0.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Bentonite Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2022, bentonite imports into South Africa skyrocketed to X tons, picking up by 86% against 2021 figures. Over the period under review, imports posted a remarkable increase. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, bentonite imports fell to $X in 2022. In general, total imports indicated a buoyant expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports decreased by -11.4% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 23% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, India (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of bentonite to South Africa, with a 78% share of total imports. Moreover, bentonite imports from India exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Brazil (X tons), eightfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Egypt (X tons), with a 3.7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from India stood at +70.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Brazil (-1.0% per year) and Egypt (+9.6% per year).

In value terms, the largest bentonite suppliers to South Africa were India ($X), Brazil ($X) and Mozambique ($X), with a combined 66% share of total imports.

Among the main suppliers, India, with a CAGR of +49.5%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average bentonite import price amounted to $X per ton, which is down by -52% against the previous year. In general, the import price continues to indicate a abrupt decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 an increase of 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the price for India ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+13.3%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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