South Africa: Market for Polystyrene In Primary Forms (Excluding Expansible Polystyrene) 2025

Market Size for Polystyrene In Primary Forms (Excluding Expansible Polystyrene) in South Africa

After four years of decline, the South African polystyrene in primary forms market increased by 70% to $X in 2021. Overall, consumption saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Exports of Polystyrene In Primary Forms (Excluding Expansible Polystyrene)

Exports from South Africa

After three years of growth, shipments abroad of polystyrene in primary forms (excluding expansible polystyrene) decreased by -37.7% to X tons in 2021. In general, exports continue to indicate a perceptible setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when exports increased by 41%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, polystyrene in primary forms exports rose rapidly to $X in 2021. Overall, exports saw a pronounced downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 83% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Zimbabwe (X tons) was the main destination for polystyrene in primary forms exports from South Africa, accounting for a 36% share of total exports. Moreover, polystyrene in primary forms exports to Zimbabwe exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Namibia (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was held by Botswana (X tons), with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Zimbabwe totaled -1.3%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Namibia (+0.1% per year) and Botswana (-6.6% per year).

In value terms, Zimbabwe ($X) remains the key foreign market for polystyrene in primary forms (excluding expansible polystyrene) exports from South Africa, comprising 32% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Mauritius ($X), with a 14% share of total exports. It was followed by Namibia, with a 14% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Zimbabwe amounted to -1.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Mauritius (+105.0% per year) and Namibia (+0.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average polystyrene in primary forms export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 78% against the previous year. Overall, export price indicated a noticeable increase from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Mauritius ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Austria ($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 Malaysia (+30.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Polystyrene In Primary Forms (Excluding Expansible Polystyrene)

Imports into South Africa

In 2021, overseas purchases of polystyrene in primary forms (excluding expansible polystyrene) were finally on the rise to reach X tons after four years of decline. Over the period under review, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, polystyrene in primary forms imports soared to $X in 2021. In general, imports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Brazil (X tons), Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons) and Belgium (X tons) were the main suppliers of polystyrene in primary forms imports to South Africa, together comprising 60% of total imports. These countries were followed by Singapore, France, Japan, South Korea, Italy, Thailand and China, which together accounted for a further 29%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Japan (with a CAGR of +94.0%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest polystyrene in primary forms suppliers to South Africa were Brazil ($X), Taiwan (Chinese) ($X) and Singapore ($X), together accounting for 61% of total imports. Belgium, France, South Korea, Italy, Japan, Thailand and China lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 30%.

Japan, with a CAGR of +72.1%, recorded 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

The average polystyrene in primary forms import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, rising by 41% against the previous year. In general, the import price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

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 Singapore ($X per ton), while the price for Japan ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Singapore (+7.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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