South Africa: Market for Industrial Monocarboxylic Fatty Acids 2025

Market Size for Industrial Monocarboxylic Fatty Acids in South Africa

In 2021, the South African industrial monocarboxylic fatty acids market decreased by -27.2% to $X for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year rising trend. In general, consumption showed a abrupt curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 6.8% against the previous year. Industrial monocarboxylic fatty acids consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Exports of Industrial Monocarboxylic Fatty Acids

Exports from South Africa

In 2021, overseas shipments of industrial monocarboxylic fatty acids increased by 104% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. Overall, exports saw a significant expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 450%. The exports peaked in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, industrial monocarboxylic fatty acids exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports saw significant growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when exports increased by 459%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

Malawi (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons) and Zambia (X tons) were the main destinations of industrial monocarboxylic fatty acids exports from South Africa, together comprising 96% of total exports. Swaziland, Zimbabwe and Botswana lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 3.6%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Swaziland (with a CAGR of +92.5%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for industrial monocarboxylic fatty acids exported from South Africa were Malawi ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and Zambia ($X), with a combined 93% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Swaziland, Zimbabwe and Botswana, which together accounted for a further 5.6%.

Among the main countries of destination, Swaziland, with a CAGR of +65.4%, recorded 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

The average industrial monocarboxylic fatty acids export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 28% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, showed a slight downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 an increase of 56% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Botswana ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Zambia ($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 Botswana (+34.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Imports of Industrial Monocarboxylic Fatty Acids

Imports into South Africa

In 2021, overseas purchases of industrial monocarboxylic fatty acids decreased by -40.8% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after two years of growth. In general, imports saw a deep downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when imports increased by 24% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, industrial monocarboxylic fatty acids imports totaled $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports saw a abrupt setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 30% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Indonesia (X tons), Malaysia (X tons) and Portugal (X tons) were the main suppliers of industrial monocarboxylic fatty acids imports to South Africa, together accounting for 86% of total imports. These countries were followed by Argentina, Zambia and Tunisia, which together accounted for a further 6.4%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Zambia (with a CAGR of +271.2%), while imports for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

In value terms, the largest industrial monocarboxylic fatty acids suppliers to South Africa were Indonesia ($X), Malaysia ($X) and Argentina ($X), together comprising 87% of total imports. These countries were followed by Portugal, Tunisia and Zambia, which together accounted for a further 4.4%.

In terms of the main suppliers, Zambia, with a CAGR of +307.8%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, 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 industrial monocarboxylic fatty acids import price amounted to $X per ton, rising by 71% against the previous year. In general, the import price enjoyed slight growth. 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, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Indonesia ($X per ton), while the price for Zambia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Zambia (+9.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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