South Africa: Market for Carnallite, Sylvite and Other Crude Natural Potassium Salts, Potassium Magnesium Sulphate and Mixtures of Potassic Fertilisers 2025

Market Size for Carnallite, Sylvite and Other Crude Natural Potassium Salts, Potassium Magnesium Sulphate and Mixtures of Potassic Fertilisers in South Africa

In 2022, the South African market for carnallite, sylvite and other crude natural potassium salts, potassium magnesium sulphate and mixtures of potassic fertilisers increased by 183% to $X, rising for the second year in a row after three years of decline. In general, consumption continues to indicate tangible growth. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Production of Carnallite, Sylvite and Other Crude Natural Potassium Salts, Potassium Magnesium Sulphate and Mixtures of Potassic Fertilisers in South Africa

In value terms, production of carnallite, sylvite and other crude natural potassium salts, potassium magnesium sulphate and mixtures of potassic fertilisers shrank to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, saw a perceptible contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 11%. Over the period under review, production of attained the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Exports of Carnallite, Sylvite and Other Crude Natural Potassium Salts, Potassium Magnesium Sulphate and Mixtures of Potassic Fertilisers

Exports from South Africa

In 2022, shipments abroad of carnallite, sylvite and other crude natural potassium salts, potassium magnesium sulphate and mixtures of potassic fertilisers decreased by -48.7% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after three years of growth. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate measured growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 95% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports of attained the peak figure at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, exports of carnallite, sylvite and other crude natural potassium salts, potassium magnesium sulphate and mixtures of potassic fertilisers declined significantly to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, enjoyed a mild expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 109% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Zimbabwe (X tons) was the main destination for exports of carnallite, sylvite and other crude natural potassium salts, potassium magnesium sulphate and mixtures of potassic fertilisers from South Africa, with a 55% share of total exports. Moreover, exports of carnallite, sylvite and other crude natural potassium salts, potassium magnesium sulphate and mixtures of potassic fertilisers to Zimbabwe exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Zambia (X tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was held by Swaziland (X tons), with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to Zimbabwe totaled +2.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Zambia (+7.5% per year) and Swaziland (+22.9% per year).

In value terms, Zimbabwe ($X), Zambia ($X) and Swaziland ($X) constituted the largest markets for carnallite, sylvite and other crude natural potassium salts, potassium magnesium sulphate and mixtures of potassic fertilisers exported from South Africa worldwide, with a combined 85% share of total exports. Angola, Mozambique, Kenya and Democratic Republic of the Congo lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 12%.

Angola, with a CAGR of +26.7%, recorded 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 more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average export price for carnallite, sylvite and other crude natural potassium salts, potassium magnesium sulphate and mixtures of potassic fertilisers amounted to $X per ton, rising by 45% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. 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 overseas markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Kenya ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Zimbabwe ($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 Angola (+6.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Carnallite, Sylvite and Other Crude Natural Potassium Salts, Potassium Magnesium Sulphate and Mixtures of Potassic Fertilisers

Imports into South Africa

Imports of carnallite, sylvite and other crude natural potassium salts, potassium magnesium sulphate and mixtures of potassic fertilisers into South Africa skyrocketed to X tons in 2022, increasing by 307% against the previous year's figure. Overall, imports posted resilient growth. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, imports of carnallite, sylvite and other crude natural potassium salts, potassium magnesium sulphate and mixtures of potassic fertilisers skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports posted strong growth. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Russia (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of carnallite, sylvite and other crude natural potassium salts, potassium magnesium sulphate and mixtures of potassic fertilisers to South Africa, accounting for a 64% share of total imports. Moreover, imports of carnallite, sylvite and other crude natural potassium salts, potassium magnesium sulphate and mixtures of potassic fertilisers from Russia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, the UK (X tons), twofold. The United States (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 3.5% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from Russia totaled +668.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the UK (+218.2% per year) and the United States (+131.0% per year).

In value terms, Russia ($X) constituted the largest supplier of carnallite, sylvite and other crude natural potassium salts, potassium magnesium sulphate and mixtures of potassic fertilisers to South Africa, comprising 66% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by the United States ($X), with a 16% share of total imports. It was followed by the UK, with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from Russia stood at +604.6%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the United States (+112.9% per year) and the UK (+136.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average import price for carnallite, sylvite and other crude natural potassium salts, potassium magnesium sulphate and mixtures of potassic fertilisers stood at $X per ton in 2022, increasing by 64% against the previous year. In general, the import price continues to indicate slight growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when the average import price increased by 85% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2016 to 2022, the average import prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (-3.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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