Report Update Feb 1, 2025

South Africa - Nickel (Unwrought) - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights

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South Africa: Nickel Market 2025

Nickel Market Size in South Africa

For the third year in a row, the South African nickel market recorded decline in sales value, which decreased by -1.6% to $X in 2022. Overall, consumption, however, saw a perceptible descent. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Nickel Production in South Africa

In value terms, nickel production declined slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, continues to indicate a noticeable decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 56%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Nickel Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2022, shipments abroad of nickel (unwrought) increased by 4.7% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. Overall, exports posted strong growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when exports increased by 128% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, nickel exports surged to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports saw significant growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 151%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

The United States (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons) and China (X tons) were the main destinations of nickel exports from South Africa, with a combined 51% share of total exports. India, Switzerland, Italy, Belgium, Spain and Japan lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 39%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Switzerland (with a CAGR of +85.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X), the United States ($X) and China ($X) were the largest markets for nickel exported from South Africa worldwide, together accounting for 56% of total exports. India, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Japan and Switzerland lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 33%.

Italy, with a CAGR of +106.2%, saw the highest growth rate of 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

In 2022, the average nickel export price amounted to $X per ton, rising by 27% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price enjoyed a noticeable expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 an increase of 58%. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the maximum in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Switzerland ($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 Italy (+20.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Nickel Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2022, overseas purchases of nickel (unwrought) increased by 8,414% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after three years of decline. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a resilient expansion. Imports peaked at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, nickel imports surged to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, recorded a drastic downturn. Imports peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Greece (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of nickel to South Africa, with a 78% share of total imports. Moreover, nickel imports from Greece exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, the Dominican Republic (X tons), fourfold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Greece was relatively modest.

In value terms, the largest nickel suppliers to South Africa were Greece ($X) and the Dominican Republic ($X).

Among the main suppliers, Greece, with a CAGR of 0.0%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average nickel import price amounted to $X per ton, declining by -67.2% against the previous year. Overall, the import price showed a drastic downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 an increase of 62% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat 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 Dominican Republic ($X per ton), while the price for Greece totaled $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Brazil (+19.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :

What are the largest markets for nickel (unwrought) in the world?

The countries with the highest volumes of in 2021 were the United States, China and Russia, together comprising 32% of global consumption. Indonesia, Nigeria, Turkey, Japan, the UK, South Korea, France, Poland, Sudan and Brazil lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 29%.

What are the largest producers of nickel (unwrought) in the world?

The countries with the highest volumes of in 2021 were the United States, Russia and China, together accounting for 27% of global production. These countries were followed by Indonesia, Nigeria, Australia, Turkey, Canada, the UK, Japan, Norway, Poland and South Africa, which together accounted for a further 34%.

What are the leading suppliers of nickel (unwrought) to South Africa?

In value terms, Belgium, the United States and the UK constituted the largest nickel suppliers to South Africa, with a combined 92% share of total imports.

What are the leading importers of nickel (unwrought) from South Africa?

In value terms, the largest markets for nickel exported from South Africa were the United States, Italy and Singapore, with a combined 46% share of total exports.

What is the average export price for nickel (unwrought) in South Africa?

In 2021, the average nickel export price amounted to $15,224 per ton, growing by 13% against the previous year.

What is the average import price for nickel (unwrought) in South Africa?

The average nickel import price stood at $23,260 per ton in 2021, declining by -4.1% against the previous year.

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the nickel market in South Africa. Within it, you will discover the latest data on market trends and opportunities by country, consumption, production and price developments, as well as the global trade (imports and exports). The forecast exhibits the market prospects through 2030.

Product coverage:

Prodcom 24451100 - Nickel, unwrought
Prodcom 24451110 -
Prodcom 24451120 -

Country coverage:

South Africa

Data coverage:

Market volume and value
Per Capita consumption
Forecast of the market dynamics in the medium term
Trade (exports and imports) in South Africa
Export and import prices
Market trends, drivers and restraints
Key market players and their profiles

Reasons to buy this report:

Take advantage of the latest data
Find deeper insights into current market developments
Discover vital success factors affecting the market

This report is designed for manufacturers, distributors, importers, and wholesalers, as well as for investors, consultants and advisors.

In this report, you can find information that helps you to make informed decisions on the following issues:

How to diversify your business and benefit from new market opportunities
How to load your idle production capacity
How to boost your sales on overseas markets
How to increase your profit margins
How to make your supply chain more sustainable
How to reduce your production and supply chain costs
How to outsource production to other countries
How to prepare your business for global expansion

While doing this research, we combine the accumulated expertise of our analysts and the capabilities of artificial intelligence. The AI-based platform, developed by our data scientists, constitutes the key working tool for business analysts, empowering them to discover deep insights and ideas from the marketing data.

1. INTRODUCTION

Making Data-Driven Decisions to Grow Your Business
1. REPORT DESCRIPTION
2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND AI PLATFORM
3. DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
4. GLOSSARY AND SPECIFIC TERMS
2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

A Quick Overview of Market Performance
1. KEY FINDINGS
2. MARKET TRENDS This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO
3. MARKET OVERVIEW

Understanding the Current State of The Market and Its Prospects
1. MARKET SIZE
2. MARKET STRUCTURE
3. TRADE BALANCE
4. PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION
5. MARKET FORECAST TO 2030
4. MOST PROMISING PRODUCT

Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business
This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO
1. TOP PRODUCTS TO DIVERSIFY YOUR BUSINESS
2. BEST-SELLING PRODUCTS
3. MOST CONSUMED PRODUCT
4. MOST TRADED PRODUCT
5. MOST PROFITABLE PRODUCT FOR EXPORT
5. MOST PROMISING SUPPLYING COUNTRIES

Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain
This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO
1. TOP COUNTRIES TO SOURCE YOUR PRODUCT
2. TOP PRODUCING COUNTRIES
3. TOP EXPORTING COUNTRIES
4. LOW-COST EXPORTING COUNTRIES
6. MOST PROMISING OVERSEAS MARKETS

Choosing the Best Countries to Boost Your Exports
This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO
1. TOP OVERSEAS MARKETS FOR EXPORTING YOUR PRODUCT
2. TOP CONSUMING MARKETS
3. UNSATURATED MARKETS
4. TOP IMPORTING MARKETS
5. MOST PROFITABLE MARKETS
7. PRODUCTION

The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry
1. PRODUCTION VOLUME AND VALUE
8. IMPORTS
The Largest Import Supplying Countries
1. IMPORTS FROM 2012–2024
2. IMPORTS BY COUNTRY
3. IMPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY
9. EXPORTS
The Largest Destinations for Exports
1. EXPORTS FROM 2012–2024
2. EXPORTS BY COUNTRY
3. EXPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY
10. PROFILES OF MAJOR PRODUCERS

The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles
This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO
LIST OF TABLES
1. Key Findings In 2024
2. Market Volume, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
3. Market Value, 2012–2024
4. Per Capita Consumption In 2012-2024
5. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
6. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
7. Import Prices, By Country Of Origin, 2012–2024
8. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
9. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
10. Export Prices, By Country Of Destination, 2012–2024
LIST OF FIGURES
1. Market Volume, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
2. Market Value, 2012–2024
3. Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, In Physical Terms, 2012-2024
4. Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, In Value Terms, 2012-2024
5. Trade Balance, In Physical Terms, 2012-2024
6. Trade Balance, In Value Terms, 2012-2024
7. Per Capita Consumption, 2012-2024
8. Market Volume Forecast to 2030
9. Market Value Forecast to 2030
10. Products: Market Size And Growth, By Type
11. Products: Average Per Capita Consumption, By Type
12. Products: Exports And Growth, By Type
13. Products: Export Prices And Growth, By Type
14. Production Volume And Growth
15. Exports And Growth
16. Export Prices And Growth
17. Market Size And Growth
18. Per Capita Consumption
19. Imports And Growth
20. Import Prices
21. Production, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
22. Production, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
23. Imports, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
24. Imports, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
25. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
26. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
27. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
28. Import Prices, By Country Of Origin, 2012–2024
29. Exports, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
30. Exports, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
31. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
32. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
33. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
34. Export Prices, By Country Of Destination, 2012–2024