South Africa: Kaolin Market 2021

Kaolin Market Size in South Africa

The South African kaolin market reduced slightly to $X in 2019, approximately reflecting the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption, however, recorded a mild contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the market value increased by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2019, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Kaolin Production in South Africa

In value terms, kaolin production reached $X in 2019 estimated in export prices. Over the period under review, production, however, saw a slight shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of X% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2019, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Kaolin Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2019, overseas shipments of kaolin increased by X% to X tons, rising for the third consecutive year after three years of decline. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a pronounced shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2010 when exports increased by X% year-to-year. South Africa exports peaked at X tons in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2019, exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, kaolin exports totaled $X in 2019. Overall, exports, however, enjoyed noticeable growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2010 with an increase of X% against the previous year. South Africa exports peaked in 2019 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

Brazil (X tons) and the U.S. (X tons) were the key exporters of kaolin in 2019, reaching approx. X% and X% of total exports, respectively. It was distantly followed by the UK (X tons), China (X tons), the Czech Republic (X tons), Belgium (X tons), Germany (X tons) and Ukraine (X tons), together comprising a X% share of total exports.

From 2007 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by the Czech Republic, while exports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the U.S. ($X) remains the largest kaolin supplier from South Africa, comprising X% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Brazil ($X), with a X% share of global exports. It was followed by Belgium, with a X% share.

In the U.S., kaolin exports contracted by an average annual rate of -X% over the period from 2007-2019. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Brazil (-X% per year) and Belgium (+X% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The kaolin export price in South Africa stood at $X per ton in 2019, reducing by -X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, enjoyed a strong increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2008 when the export price increased by X% year-to-year. South Africa export price peaked at $X per ton in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2019, export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2019, the country with the highest price was the U.S. ($X per ton), while Ukraine ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China, while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Kaolin Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2019, approx. X tons of kaolin were imported into South Africa; declining by -X% on the previous year. Over the period under review, imports showed a perceptible reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2010 when imports increased by X% y-o-y. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2019, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, kaolin imports declined to $X in 2019. Overall, total imports indicated slight growth from 2007 to 2019: its value decreased at an average annual rate of -X% over the last twelve years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2019 figures, imports decreased by -X% against 2015 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2012 when imports increased by X% against the previous year. South Africa imports peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2019, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2019, Belgium (X tons), followed by Finland (X tons), Italy (X tons), Russia (X tons), Germany (X tons) and China (X tons) were the key importers of kaolin, together constituting X% of total imports. Canada (X tons), Japan (X tons), Mexico (X tons), Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons), the U.S. (X tons), Algeria (X tons) and Sweden (X tons) held a relatively small share of total imports.

From 2007 to 2019, the biggest increases were in Algeria, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest kaolin importing markets into South Africa were Belgium ($X), China ($X) and Japan ($X), together comprising X% of total imports. Germany, Finland, Mexico, Italy, Canada, Sweden, Russia, the U.S., Taiwan (Chinese) and Algeria lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further X terms of the main importing countries, Algeria recorded the highest growth rate of 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

The kaolin import price in South Africa stood at $X per ton in 2019, waning by -X% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, enjoyed prominent growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 an increase of X% y-o-y. Over the period under review, import prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2019, import prices failed to regain the momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by the country of destination; the country with the highest price was Japan ($X per ton), while Algeria ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Canada, while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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