South Africa: Npk Fertilizer Market 2024

Npk Fertilizer Market Size in South Africa

In 2022, the South African NPK fertilizer market decreased by -3.1% to $X, falling for the third consecutive year after two years of growth. Over the period under review, the total consumption indicated prominent growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +7.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption decreased by -8.6% against 2019 indices. Consumption peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Npk Fertilizer Production in South Africa

In value terms, NPK fertilizer production shrank modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 11% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2016 to 2022, production growth remained at a lower figure.

Npk Fertilizer Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2022, shipments abroad of mixed nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) fertilizers increased by 19% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after three years of decline. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a abrupt downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 35% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, NPK fertilizer exports soared to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw a drastic downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 73% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Swaziland (X tons) was the main destination for NPK fertilizer exports from South Africa, accounting for a 49% share of total exports. Moreover, NPK fertilizer exports to Swaziland exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Zambia (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was held by Botswana (X tons), with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Swaziland stood at +14.8%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Zambia (-19.7% per year) and Botswana (+13.8% per year).

In value terms, Swaziland ($X) remains the key foreign market for mixed nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) fertilizers exports from South Africa, comprising 36% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Zambia ($X), with a 15% share of total exports. It was followed by Botswana, with a 9.2% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to Swaziland totaled +17.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Zambia (-15.3% per year) and Botswana (+15.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average NPK fertilizer export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, increasing by 22% against the previous year. In general, export price indicated perceptible growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, NPK fertilizer export price increased by +101.6% against 2018 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average export price increased by 52% against the previous year. The export price peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in years to come.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Chile ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Zimbabwe ($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 Zambia (+5.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Npk Fertilizer Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2022, purchases abroad of mixed nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) fertilizers was finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Overall, imports showed a significant increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 6,715%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, NPK fertilizer imports soared to $X in 2022. In general, imports showed strong growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 761% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Italy (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of NPK fertilizer to South Africa, with a 74% share of total imports. Moreover, NPK fertilizer imports from Italy exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, France (X tons), sevenfold. The third position in this ranking was held by the Netherlands (X tons), with a 5.3% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Italy amounted to +6.1%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: France (+112.4% per year) and the Netherlands (+16.1% per year).

In value terms, Italy ($X) constituted the largest supplier of mixed nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) fertilizers to South Africa, comprising 72% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by France ($X), with an 11% share of total imports. It was followed by the Netherlands, with a 6% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Italy amounted to +3.8%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: France (+119.1% per year) and the Netherlands (+13.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average NPK fertilizer import price amounted to $X per ton, growing by 4.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, showed a deep reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 an increase of 581% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2016 to 2022, the average import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the price for China ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Spain (+4.4%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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