South Africa: Market for Polypropylene in Primary Forms 2024

Market Size for Polypropylene in Primary Forms in South Africa

The South African polypropylene in primary forms market shrank to $X in 2022, declining by -7.6% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X, and then contracted in the following year.

Production of Polypropylene in Primary Forms in South Africa

In value terms, polypropylene in primary forms production reduced slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 10% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports of Polypropylene in Primary Forms

Exports from South Africa

In 2022, shipments abroad of polypropylene in primary forms was finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year declining trend. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when exports increased by 25% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, polypropylene in primary forms exports expanded markedly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 14%. The exports peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Nigeria (X tons) was the main destination for polypropylene in primary forms exports from South Africa, with a 24% share of total exports. Moreover, polypropylene in primary forms exports to Nigeria exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Zambia (X tons), threefold. Portugal (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 7.6% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Nigeria totaled +11.3%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Zambia (+11.0% per year) and Portugal (+19.0% per year).

In value terms, Nigeria ($X) remains the key foreign market for polypropylene in primary forms exports from South Africa, comprising 25% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Zambia ($X), with an 11% share of total exports. It was followed by Portugal, with a 7.3% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to Nigeria totaled +10.7%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Zambia (+9.4% per year) and Portugal (+17.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average polypropylene in primary forms export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, dropping by -11.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price continues to indicate a mild downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 an increase of 58% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Zimbabwe ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Mozambique ($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 Malawi (-0.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Imports of Polypropylene in Primary Forms

Imports into South Africa

Polypropylene in primary forms imports into South Africa dropped rapidly to X tons in 2022, waning by -22.2% against the previous year's figure. Overall, imports, however, saw strong growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 55%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons, and then shrank sharply in the following year.

In value terms, polypropylene in primary forms imports reduced markedly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, posted resilient growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 103% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X, and then reduced notably in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Saudi Arabia (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of polypropylene in primary forms to South Africa, with a 54% share of total imports. Moreover, polypropylene in primary forms imports from Saudi Arabia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Belgium (X tons), eightfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Thailand (X tons), with a 5.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from Saudi Arabia amounted to +38.8%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Belgium (+15.0% per year) and Thailand (-7.7% per year).

In value terms, Saudi Arabia ($X) constituted the largest supplier of polypropylene in primary forms to South Africa, comprising 44% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Belgium ($X), with a 9.5% share of total imports. It was followed by Thailand, with a 6.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from Saudi Arabia amounted to +37.6%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Belgium (+16.0% per year) and Thailand (-8.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average polypropylene in primary forms import price amounted to $X per ton, flattening at the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, continues to indicate a pronounced reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the average import price increased by 31% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Kuwait (+13.4%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :