South Africa: Market for Cationic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap) 2025

Market Size for Cationic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap) in South Africa

The South African market for cationic surface-active agents (excluding soap) contracted slightly to $X in 2021, which is down by -1.8% against the previous year. Overall, consumption continues to indicate a abrupt setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the market value increased by 5.6%. Cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) consumption peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Production of Cationic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap) in South Africa

In value terms, cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) production dropped modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production saw a noticeable descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the production volume increased by 15%. Over the period under review, production attained the maximum level at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Exports of Cationic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap)

Exports from South Africa

In 2021, the amount of cationic surface-active agents (excluding soap) exported from South Africa rose significantly to X tons, with an increase of 8.7% against 2020. Overall, exports posted a significant increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 338% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) exports rose markedly to $X in 2021. In general, exports enjoyed a strong expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 324% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Zambia (X tons) was the main destination for cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) exports from South Africa, with a 53% share of total exports. Moreover, cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) exports to Zambia exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Qatar (X tons), fourfold. Botswana (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 6.5% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to Zambia stood at +45.7%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Qatar (+293.3% per year) and Botswana (+0.5% per year).

In value terms, Qatar ($X), Zambia ($X) and Swaziland ($X) constituted the largest markets for cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) exported from South Africa worldwide, with a combined 60% share of total exports.

Among the main countries of destination, Qatar, with a CAGR of +241.7%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average export price for cationic surface-active agents (excluding soap) stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 3.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, showed a pronounced curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 14%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Qatar ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Zambia ($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 Swaziland (+13.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Imports of Cationic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap)

Imports into South Africa

In 2021, purchases abroad of cationic surface-active agents (excluding soap) increased by 33% to X tons, rising for the third consecutive year after four years of decline. Overall, imports, however, recorded a deep contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 43% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) imports soared to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a abrupt slump. Imports peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, China (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) to South Africa, with a 84% share of total imports. Moreover, cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Spain (X tons), eightfold. The United States (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 2.3% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from China stood at -4.6%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Spain (+43.8% per year) and the United States (-28.1% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) constituted the largest supplier of cationic surface-active agents (excluding soap) to South Africa, comprising 80% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Spain ($X), with a 9.5% share of total imports. It was followed by the United States, with a 5.6% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value from China amounted to -5.3%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Spain (+24.6% per year) and the United States (-21.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average import price for cationic surface-active agents (excluding soap) stood at $X per ton in 2021, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, continues to indicate a mild reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when the average import price increased by 39% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the price for Spain ($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 (+9.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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