South Africa: Expanded Clays Market 2024

Expanded Clays Market Size in South Africa

In 2021, the South African expanded clays market was finally on the rise to reach $X after two years of decline. Over the period under review, consumption, however, continues to indicate a deep slump. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Expanded Clays Production in South Africa

In value terms, expanded clays production expanded significantly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, continues to indicate a abrupt downturn. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Expanded Clays Exports

Exports from South Africa

Expanded clays exports from South Africa skyrocketed to X tons in 2021, growing by 18% compared with the year before. In general, exports enjoyed buoyant growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when exports increased by 371% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, expanded clays exports shrank rapidly to $X in 2021. Overall, exports recorded a slight increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 231% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Zambia (X tons), the UK (X tons) and Israel (X tons) were the main destinations of expanded clays exports from South Africa, together accounting for 67% of total exports. These countries were followed by India, Nigeria, the United Arab Emirates, Mauritius and Zimbabwe, which together accounted for a further 28%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Nigeria (with a CAGR of +76.0%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Zambia ($X), the UK ($X) and India ($X) appeared to be the largest markets for expanded clays exported from South Africa worldwide, with a combined 58% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Nigeria, Mauritius, the United Arab Emirates, Israel and Zimbabwe, which together accounted for a further 23%.

Nigeria, with a CAGR of +95.1%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to 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

The average expanded clays export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, declining by -29.8% against the previous year. Overall, the export price recorded a deep contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the average export price increased by 41% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs 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 Mauritius ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Israel ($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 the UK (+15.0%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Expanded Clays Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2021, purchases abroad of exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays and foamed slag decreased by -11.2% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a remarkable increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 513% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, expanded clays imports surged to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, saw significant growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 348%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure in 2021 and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

The United States (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons) and the UK (X tons) were the main suppliers of expanded clays imports to South Africa, together accounting for 63% of total imports. These countries were followed by Germany, Italy, Spain, China, Denmark and Portugal, which together accounted for a further 31%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for China (with a CAGR of +44.9%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($X) constituted the largest supplier of exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays and foamed slag to South Africa, comprising 60% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by the UK ($X), with a 29% share of total imports. It was followed by the Netherlands, with a 3.1% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from the United States stood at +47.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the UK (+22.0% per year) and the Netherlands (+18.7% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average expanded clays import price amounted to $X per ton, surging by 142% against the previous year. In general, the import price posted a strong expansion. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was the UK ($X per ton), while the price for Denmark ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Italy (+15.6%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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