South Africa: Carbonate Market 2025

Carbonate Market Size in South Africa

After two years of decline, the South African carbonate market increased by 1.8% to $X in 2021. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Carbonate consumption peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Carbonate Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2021, the amount of carbonates and peroxocarbonates exported from South Africa soared to X tons, rising by 56% compared with 2020 figures. In general, exports posted a measured expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 63% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum in 2021 and are likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

In value terms, carbonate exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports enjoyed measured growth. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Zambia (X tons), Zimbabwe (X tons) and Botswana (X tons) were the main destinations of carbonate exports from South Africa, with a combined 61% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Namibia, Ghana, Mozambique, Angola, Swaziland, Malawi and Democratic Republic of the Congo, which together accounted for a further 34%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Ghana (with a CAGR of +68.9%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for carbonate exported from South Africa were Zambia ($X), Zimbabwe ($X) and Botswana ($X), together comprising 55% of total exports. These countries were followed by Namibia, Ghana, Mozambique, Angola, Swaziland, Malawi and Democratic Republic of the Congo, which together accounted for a further 34%.

Ghana, with a CAGR of +52.4%, 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, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average carbonate export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 4.5% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the average export price increased by 42%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2021, the average export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Zimbabwe ($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 Democratic Republic of the Congo (+2.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Carbonate Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2021, overseas purchases of carbonates and peroxocarbonates decreased by -5.7% to X tons, falling for the third year in a row after two years of growth. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 18% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, carbonate imports rose sharply to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when imports increased by 39% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Botswana (X tons) constituted the largest carbonate supplier to South Africa, with a 52% share of total imports. Moreover, carbonate imports from Botswana exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Egypt (X tons), fivefold. The third position in this ranking was held by Turkey (X tons), with a 9.5% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Botswana totaled +3.8%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Egypt (+15.9% per year) and Turkey (+31.0% per year).

In value terms, Botswana ($X), China ($X) and Turkey ($X) appeared to be the largest carbonate suppliers to South Africa, together comprising 67% of total imports. These countries were followed by Spain, Egypt, Kenya, Jordan and the United States, which together accounted for a further 11%.

In terms of the main suppliers, Kenya, with a CAGR of +41.7%, 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 2021, the average carbonate import price amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 17% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 20%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2018 to 2021, the average import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while the price for Egypt ($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 States (+15.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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