South Africa: Sodium Carbonate Market 2024

Sodium Carbonate Market Size in South Africa

The South African sodium carbonate market skyrocketed to $X in 2022, increasing by 50% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, consumption attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Sodium Carbonate Production in South Africa

In value terms, sodium carbonate production contracted to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production recorded a abrupt decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when the production volume increased by 74%. Sodium carbonate production peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Sodium Carbonate Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas shipments of sodium carbonate, when their volume decreased by -9.1% to X tons. Overall, exports continue to indicate a deep slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 293% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, sodium carbonate exports dropped sharply to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports recorded a abrupt slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when exports increased by 231%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Zambia (X tons) was the main destination for sodium carbonate exports from South Africa, with a 71% share of total exports. Moreover, sodium carbonate exports to Zambia exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Zimbabwe (X tons), sixfold. Namibia (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 5.8% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to Zambia amounted to +5.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Zimbabwe (+17.0% per year) and Namibia (+40.0% per year).

In value terms, Zambia ($X) remains the key foreign market for sodium carbonate exports from South Africa, comprising 65% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Zimbabwe ($X), with an 8.8% share of total exports. It was followed by Mozambique, with an 8.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Zambia amounted to +2.9%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Zimbabwe (+15.1% per year) and Mozambique (+5.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average sodium carbonate export price amounted to $X per ton, reducing by -7.2% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 an increase of 61% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2016 to 2022, 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 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to India (+32.3%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Sodium Carbonate Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2022, the amount of sodium carbonate imported into South Africa soared to X tons, growing by 36% compared with the previous year's figure. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, sodium carbonate imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. In general, total imports indicated a strong expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Botswana (X tons) constituted the largest sodium carbonate supplier to South Africa, accounting for a 56% share of total imports. Moreover, sodium carbonate imports from Botswana exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, China (X tons), threefold. Turkey (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 7.5% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from Botswana totaled +3.9%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: China (+29.7% per year) and Turkey (+35.0% per year).

In value terms, Botswana ($X) constituted the largest supplier of sodium carbonate to South Africa, comprising 51% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by China ($X), with a 16% share of total imports. It was followed by Turkey, with a 9.5% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from Botswana amounted to +6.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: China (+26.1% per year) and Turkey (+34.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average sodium carbonate import price amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 31% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.6%. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Kenya (+9.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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