South Africa: Ethylene Market 2025

Ethylene Market Size in South Africa

In 2021, the South African ethylene market was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2016, thus ending a four-year declining trend. Over the period under review, consumption continues to indicate a noticeable setback. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2017 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Ethylene Production in South Africa

In value terms, ethylene production stood at $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production saw a perceptible downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the production volume increased by 42% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2017 to 2021, production growth remained at a lower figure.

Ethylene Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2021, approx. X tons of ethylene were exported from South Africa; waning by -84.5% compared with the previous year. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate temperate growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when exports increased by 2,393%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons, and then contracted significantly in the following year.

In value terms, ethylene exports declined remarkably to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw a buoyant increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 1,415%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X, and then shrank markedly in the following year.

Exports by Country

Mexico (X tons) was the main destination for ethylene exports from South Africa, accounting for a 81% share of total exports. Moreover, ethylene exports to Mexico exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Malawi (X kg), tenfold. Mozambique (X kg) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 6.9% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to Mexico was relatively modest. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Malawi (+20.7% per year) and Mozambique (-15.9% per year).

In value terms, Mexico ($X) emerged as the key foreign market for ethylene exports from South Africa, comprising 87% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Mozambique ($X), with an 8% share of total exports. It was followed by Malawi, with a 2.9% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Mexico was relatively modest. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Mozambique (+3.8% per year) and Malawi (+20.7% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average ethylene export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, increasing by 216% against the previous year. Overall, the export price saw a buoyant expansion. As a result, the export price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Mozambique ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Namibia ($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 Ghana (+234.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Ethylene Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2021, the amount of ethylene imported into South Africa stood at X tons, approximately equating 2020 figures. Over the period under review, imports recorded a prominent expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 287%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, ethylene imports totaled $X in 2021. In general, imports recorded a abrupt descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 107%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

The Czech Republic (X kg) and Germany (X kg) were the main suppliers of ethylene imports to South Africa.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by the Czech Republic (with a CAGR of 0.0%).

In value terms, the Czech Republic ($X) constituted the largest supplier of ethylene to South Africa, comprising 83% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Germany ($X), with a 17% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from the Czech Republic was relatively modest.

Import Prices by Country

The average ethylene import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year. Overall, the import price continues to indicate a drastic downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when the average import price increased by 49% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, 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 the Czech Republic ($X per ton), while the price for Germany amounted to $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+9.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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