South Africa: Explosives Market 2024

Explosives Market Size in South Africa

In 2021, the South African explosives market decreased by -8.3% to $X, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. In general, consumption continues to indicate a slight curtailment. Explosives consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Explosives Production in South Africa

In value terms, explosives production expanded to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production recorded a mild decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the production volume increased by 13% against the previous year. Explosives production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Explosives Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2021, overseas shipments of prepared explosives were finally on the rise to reach X tons after three years of decline. Overall, exports, however, recorded a noticeable descent. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, explosives exports surged to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, saw a slight reduction. The exports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Zimbabwe (X tons) was the main destination for explosives exports from South Africa, with a 47% share of total exports. Moreover, explosives exports to Zimbabwe exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Tanzania (X tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was held by Zambia (X tons), with a 9.2% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Zimbabwe totaled +2.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Tanzania (+14.4% per year) and Zambia (-11.7% per year).

In value terms, Zimbabwe ($X) remains the key foreign market for prepared explosives exports from South Africa, comprising 30% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Tanzania ($X), with a 15% share of total exports. It was followed by Ghana, with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to Zimbabwe stood at +1.8%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Tanzania (+9.5% per year) and Ghana (+9.7% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average explosives export price amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 3.2% against the previous year. In general, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the average export price increased by 19%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Namibia ($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 Democratic Republic of the Congo (+15.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Explosives Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2021, imports of prepared explosives into South Africa fell sharply to X tons, reducing by -26.9% compared with the previous year. Overall, imports, however, posted a strong increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 260% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, explosives imports reduced remarkably to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports showed a perceptible reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 266%. Imports peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2021, China (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of explosives to South Africa, with a 79% share of total imports. Moreover, explosives imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Russia (X tons), tenfold. Poland (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 6.3% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from China amounted to +19.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Russia (0.0% per year) and Poland (+126.0% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) constituted the largest supplier of prepared explosives to South Africa, comprising 55% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Poland ($X), with a 21% share of total imports. It was followed by Zambia, with a 5.7% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from China totaled +13.0%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Poland (+118.4% per year) and Zambia (-9.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average explosives import price amounted to $X per ton, dropping by -44.4% against the previous year. Overall, the import price faced a abrupt downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the average import price increased by 144%. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, 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 Poland ($X per ton), while the price for Russia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Zambia (+2.1%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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