South Africa: Natural Polymers Market 2024

Natural Polymers Market Size in South Africa

The South African natural polymers market fell modestly to $X in 2021, declining by -2.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption recorded a pronounced slump. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Natural Polymers Production in South Africa

In value terms, natural polymers production reached $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, showed a pronounced decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 27% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2017 to 2021, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Natural Polymers Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2021, natural polymers exports from South Africa soared to X tons, growing by 16% on the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, exports posted a significant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when exports increased by 266% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs in 2021 and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, natural polymers exports declined modestly to $X in 2021. Overall, exports posted resilient growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when exports increased by 126%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2017 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Brazil (X tons) was the main destination for natural polymers exports from South Africa, accounting for a 88% share of total exports. Moreover, natural polymers exports to Brazil exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Zambia (X tons), more than tenfold.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to Brazil totaled +20.5%.

In value terms, Brazil ($X) remains the key foreign market for natural and modified natural polymers in primary forms exports from South Africa, comprising 58% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Zambia ($X), with an 11% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Brazil amounted to +17.7%.

Export Prices by Country

The average natural polymers export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, shrinking by -14.3% against the previous year. In general, the export price faced a abrupt contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the average export price increased by 15% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Zambia ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Brazil totaled $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Zambia (-0.4%).

Natural Polymers Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2021, the amount of natural and modified natural polymers in primary forms imported into South Africa declined to X tons, with a decrease of -10.2% against 2020. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a mild decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when imports increased by 27% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, natural polymers imports declined to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when imports increased by 21% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at $X in 2020, and then shrank in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2021, China (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of natural polymers to South Africa, with a 40% share of total imports. Moreover, natural polymers imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, France (X tons), fourfold. Sweden (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from China was relatively modest. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: France (+14.2% per year) and Sweden (+6.1% per year).

In value terms, China ($X), Sweden ($X) and France ($X) constituted the largest natural polymers suppliers to South Africa, together accounting for 55% of total imports. Japan, the United States, Swaziland, Egypt, the Netherlands and Canada lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 24%.

Egypt, with a CAGR of +444.4%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers 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 natural polymers import price amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 5.4% against the previous year. Overall, import price indicated perceptible growth from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.6% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, natural polymers import price increased by +86.1% against 2018 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the average import price increased by 57% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the peak figure in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

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 the Netherlands ($X per ton), while the price for Egypt ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+17.3%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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