South Africa: Lead Market 2024

Lead Market Size in South Africa

The South African lead market contracted to $X in 2022, waning by -11.9% against the previous year. Overall, consumption showed a pronounced decline. Lead consumption peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Lead Production in South Africa

In value terms, lead production declined to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 151%. Lead production peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Lead Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2022, approx. X tons of lead were exported from South Africa; increasing by 38% compared with 2021 figures. Overall, exports posted a strong increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when exports increased by 99% against the previous year. The exports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, lead exports surged to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports posted a resilient expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 135%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Brazil (X tons), Botswana (X tons) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons) were the main destinations of lead exports from South Africa, with a combined 50% share of total exports. The United States, Turkey, Singapore, Bulgaria, Greece and India lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 42%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Bulgaria (with a CAGR of +115.5%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for lead exported from South Africa were Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X), Brazil ($X) and Botswana ($X), with a combined 54% share of total exports. The United States, Singapore, Turkey, Bulgaria, Greece and India lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 38%.

Bulgaria, with a CAGR of +112.1%, recorded 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

In 2022, the average lead export price amounted to $X per ton, falling by -5.8% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.1%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 26%. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to India ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to India (+1.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Lead Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2022, supplies from abroad of lead increased by 4.4% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after five years of decline. Overall, imports, however, recorded a abrupt setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 38%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, lead imports surged to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, saw a noticeable shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when imports increased by 51%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Kazakhstan (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of lead to South Africa, with a 56% share of total imports. Moreover, lead imports from Kazakhstan exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Russia (X tons), fourfold. India (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Kazakhstan totaled +70.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Russia (+14.8% per year) and India (+17.5% per year).

In value terms, Kazakhstan ($X) constituted the largest supplier of lead to South Africa, comprising 61% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Russia ($X), with a 13% share of total imports. It was followed by India, with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Kazakhstan totaled +69.8%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Russia (+11.7% per year) and India (+18.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average lead import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, rising by 13% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.8%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of 40% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2018 to 2022, the average import prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the countries with the highest prices were Kazakhstan ($X per ton) and Japan ($X per ton), while the price for Russia ($X per ton) and China ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Australia (+1.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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