South Africa: Expansible Polystyrene Market 2025

Expansible Polystyrene Market Size in South Africa

In 2021, the South African expansible polystyrene market was finally on the rise to reach $X after two years of decline. In general, consumption, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Expansible Polystyrene Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2021, overseas shipments of expansible polystyrene in primary forms were finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Over the period under review, exports showed a strong increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 332%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, expansible polystyrene exports soared to $X in 2021. In general, exports posted a strong increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when exports increased by 133% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs in 2021 and are likely to continue growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

Swaziland (X tons), Botswana (X tons) and Namibia (X tons) were the main destinations of expansible polystyrene exports from South Africa, together comprising 57% of total exports. These countries were followed by Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Zambia and Democratic Republic of the Congo, which together accounted for a further 42%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Mozambique (with a CAGR of +21.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Zimbabwe ($X), Swaziland ($X) and Mozambique ($X) were the largest markets for expansible polystyrene exported from South Africa worldwide, with a combined 56% share of total exports.

Among the main countries of destination, Mozambique, with a CAGR of +39.7%, saw the highest growth rate of 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 2021, the average expansible polystyrene export price amounted to $X per ton, reducing by -49.5% against the previous year. In general, the export price recorded a slight contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 an increase of 105% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton, and then dropped sharply in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Botswana ($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 Zimbabwe (+16.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Expansible Polystyrene Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2021, imports of expansible polystyrene in primary forms into South Africa expanded sharply to X tons, increasing by 13% on the year before. Over the period under review, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 23% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2016 to 2021, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, expansible polystyrene imports soared to $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, recorded a mild reduction. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons), China (X tons) and South Korea (X tons) were the main suppliers of expansible polystyrene imports to South Africa, together comprising 81% of total imports. The United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 15%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for the United Arab Emirates (with a CAGR of +211.3%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Taiwan (Chinese) ($X), China ($X) and the Netherlands ($X) appeared to be the largest expansible polystyrene suppliers to South Africa, with a combined 80% share of total imports. The United Arab Emirates, South Korea, Germany and Belgium lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 17%.

The United Arab Emirates, with a CAGR of +126.3%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average expansible polystyrene import price amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 38% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, showed a slight shrinkage. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the countries with the highest prices were Belgium ($X per ton) and the Netherlands ($X per ton), while the price for Taiwan (Chinese) ($X per ton) and South Korea ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (-0.1%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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