South Africa: Lime Market 2024

Lime Market Size in South Africa

After three years of decline, the South African lime market increased by 6.2% to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, consumption, however, saw a pronounced downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 9%. Lime consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Lime Production in South Africa

In value terms, lime production expanded sharply to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, showed a abrupt setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 10%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Lime Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2021, approx. X tons of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime were exported from South Africa; declining by -2.5% on the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, exports showed a deep reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 38% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, lime exports expanded rapidly to $X in 2021. Overall, exports faced a deep reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when exports increased by 33%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Swaziland (X tons), Namibia (X tons) and France (X tons) were the main destinations of lime exports from South Africa, together accounting for 58% of total exports. Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Botswana and Democratic Republic of the Congo lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 37%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Ghana (with a CAGR of +125.0%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Swaziland ($X), France ($X) and Namibia ($X) constituted the largest markets for lime exported from South Africa worldwide, together comprising 55% of total exports. Zambia, Ghana, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Democratic Republic of the Congo lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 41%.

Ghana, with a CAGR of +71.7%, recorded 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

The average lime export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 14% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, saw a abrupt decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 17% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Ghana ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Namibia ($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 Swaziland (+2.3%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Lime Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2021, approx. X tons of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime were imported into South Africa; jumping by 23% compared with 2020. Over the period under review, total imports indicated perceptible growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports decreased by -13.0% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when imports increased by 48%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, lime imports soared to $X in 2021. In general, imports saw a modest increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when imports increased by 83% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Portugal (X tons) constituted the largest lime supplier to South Africa, with a 58% share of total imports. Moreover, lime imports from Portugal exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, France (X tons), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Poland (X tons), with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Portugal amounted to +21.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: France (-17.0% per year) and Poland (+178.7% per year).

In value terms, Portugal ($X) constituted the largest supplier of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime to South Africa, comprising 47% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Poland ($X), with a 14% share of total imports. It was followed by France, with a 10% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Portugal amounted to +16.3%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Poland (+249.6% per year) and France (-20.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average lime import price amounted to $X per ton, remaining stable against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the average import price increased by 31%. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was Belgium ($X per ton), while the price for Malaysia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland (+25.4%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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