South Africa: Ethylene Glycol Market 2025

Ethylene Glycol Market Size in South Africa

The South African ethylene glycol market shrank to $X in 2022, reducing by -5.6% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Overall, the total consumption indicated a modest increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +47.5% against 2020 indices. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Ethylene Glycol Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2022, overseas shipments of ethylene glycol (ethanediol) decreased by -41.2% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. In general, exports continue to indicate a abrupt contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when exports increased by 83%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, ethylene glycol exports declined sharply to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a deep slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 62%. The exports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Zambia (X tons), Angola (X tons) and Tanzania (X tons) were the main destinations of ethylene glycol exports from South Africa, with a combined 67% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Tanzania (with a CAGR of +48.0%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Zambia ($X), Tanzania ($X) and Angola ($X) were the largest markets for ethylene glycol exported from South Africa worldwide, together comprising 47% of total exports.

Among the main countries of destination, Tanzania, with a CAGR of +48.9%, recorded 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

In 2022, the average ethylene glycol export price amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 30% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Cote d'Ivoire ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Malawi ($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 (+11.9%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Ethylene Glycol Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2022, approx. X tons of ethylene glycol (ethanediol) were imported into South Africa; with a decrease of -18.7% compared with the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, total imports indicated pronounced growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +8.2% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 38%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2021, and then declined markedly in the following year.

In value terms, ethylene glycol imports expanded to $X in 2022. In general, total imports indicated slight growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +87.3% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when imports increased by 80%. Imports peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Saudi Arabia (X tons) was the main ethylene glycol supplier to South Africa, accounting for a 92% share of total imports. It was followed by the United States (X tons), with a 2.1% share of total imports. The third position in this ranking was held by the Netherlands (X tons), with a 1.5% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Saudi Arabia totaled +4.0%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the United States (-3.6% per year) and the Netherlands (-9.8% per year).

In value terms, Saudi Arabia ($X) constituted the largest supplier of ethylene glycol (ethanediol) to South Africa, comprising 88% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United States ($X), with a 2.9% share of total imports. It was followed by the Netherlands, with a 2.3% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Saudi Arabia totaled +2.1%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the United States (-2.3% per year) and the Netherlands (-7.5% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average ethylene glycol import price amounted to $X per ton, rising by 28% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, showed a mild shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 an increase of 36%. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, 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 Netherlands ($X per ton), while the price for Saudi Arabia ($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 Netherlands (+2.6%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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