South Africa: Market for Polyethylene in Primary Forms 2024

Market Size for Polyethylene in Primary Forms in South Africa

In 2021, the South African polyethylene in primary forms market was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. In general, consumption, however, continues to indicate a abrupt setback. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Exports of Polyethylene in Primary Forms

Exports from South Africa

In 2021, the amount of polyethylene in primary forms exported from South Africa dropped to X tons, reducing by -13.1% against the previous year's figure. Overall, exports, however, posted a prominent increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 133% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, polyethylene in primary forms exports surged to $X in 2021. In general, total exports indicated a remarkable increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.7% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +115.5% against 2018 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 99%. The exports peaked in 2021 and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Zambia (X tons), Zimbabwe (X tons) and Malawi (X tons) were the main destinations of polyethylene in primary forms exports from South Africa, with a combined 51% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Namibia, Botswana, China, Mozambique, Spain, Swaziland, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Brazil, which together accounted for a further 32%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Spain (with a CAGR of +208.7%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for polyethylene in primary forms exported from South Africa were Zambia ($X), Zimbabwe ($X) and Malawi ($X), with a combined 52% share of total exports. Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, China, Swaziland, Spain, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Brazil lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 31%.

Spain, with a CAGR of +198.4%, 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 2021, the average polyethylene in primary forms export price amounted to $X per ton, jumping by 49% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

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 Brazil ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to China ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Brazil (+3.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Polyethylene in Primary Forms

Imports into South Africa

In 2021, overseas purchases of polyethylene in primary forms were finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Imports peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, polyethylene in primary forms imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. In general, imports, however, saw a mild descent. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Saudi Arabia (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of polyethylene in primary forms to South Africa, with a 44% share of total imports. Moreover, polyethylene in primary forms imports from Saudi Arabia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, the United States (X tons), fivefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Qatar (X tons), with a 7% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from Saudi Arabia stood at +1.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the United States (-2.0% per year) and Qatar (-1.6% per year).

In value terms, Saudi Arabia ($X) constituted the largest supplier of polyethylene in primary forms to South Africa, comprising 38% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by the United States ($X), with a 9.7% share of total imports. It was followed by Qatar, with a 7.2% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Saudi Arabia was relatively modest. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the United States (-2.1% per year) and Qatar (-2.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average polyethylene in primary forms import price amounted to $X per ton, rising by 37% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, saw a mild reduction. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Brazil (+1.2%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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