South Africa: Market for Lithium Oxide, Hydroxide and Carbonate 2024

Market Size for Lithium Oxide, Hydroxide and Carbonate in South Africa

In 2022, the South African market for lithium oxide, hydroxide and carbonates was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Over the period under review, consumption recorded a strong expansion. As a result, consumption attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports of Lithium Oxide, Hydroxide and Carbonate

Exports from South Africa

For the third consecutive year, South Africa recorded decline in overseas shipments of lithium oxide, hydroxide and carbonates, which decreased by X% to X tons in 2022. Overall, exports, however, posted a buoyant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of X%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, lithium oxide, hydroxide and carbonate exports soared to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate prominent growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of X%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Zambia (X tons) was the main destination for lithium oxide, hydroxide and carbonate exports from South Africa, accounting for a X% share of total exports. Moreover, lithium oxide, hydroxide and carbonate exports to Zambia exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Tanzania (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Angola (X tons), with an X% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Zambia stood at X%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Tanzania (X% per year) and Angola (X% per year).

In value terms, the largest markets for lithium oxide, hydroxide and carbonate exported from South Africa were Angola ($X), Zambia ($X) and Kenya ($X), with a combined X% share of total exports.

Angola, with a CAGR of X%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of 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 export price for lithium oxide, hydroxide and carbonates stood at $X per ton in 2022, surging by X% against the previous year. Overall, the export price continues to indicate temperate growth. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, 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 Angola ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Zambia ($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 Angola (X%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Lithium Oxide, Hydroxide and Carbonate

Imports into South Africa

In 2022, purchases abroad of lithium oxide, hydroxide and carbonates increased by X% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Overall, imports enjoyed a measured expansion. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, lithium oxide, hydroxide and carbonate imports surged to $X in 2022. In general, imports enjoyed buoyant growth. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Chile (X tons) constituted the largest lithium oxide, hydroxide and carbonate supplier to South Africa, with a X% share of total imports. Moreover, lithium oxide, hydroxide and carbonate imports from Chile exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, the United States (X tons), fourfold. Zimbabwe (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a X% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from Chile totaled X%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the United States (X% per year) and Zimbabwe (X% per year).

In value terms, Chile ($X) constituted the largest supplier of lithium oxide, hydroxide and carbonates to South Africa, comprising X% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United States ($X), with a X% share of total imports. It was followed by Russia, with an X% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Chile amounted to X%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the United States (X% per year) and Russia (X% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average import price for lithium oxide, hydroxide and carbonates amounted to $X per ton, falling by X% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, recorded strong growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 an increase of X%. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Russia ($X per ton), while the price for Zimbabwe ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Russia (X%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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