South Africa: Reclaimed Rubber Market 2024

Reclaimed Rubber Market Size in South Africa

In 2021, the South African reclaimed rubber market was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Over the period under review, consumption recorded perceptible growth. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Reclaimed Rubber Exports

Exports from South Africa

After two years of growth, shipments abroad of reclaimed rubber decreased by -47.6% to X tons in 2021. In general, exports, however, enjoyed a significant increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when exports increased by 834% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons, and then reduced markedly in the following year.

In value terms, reclaimed rubber exports contracted notably to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate notable growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when exports increased by 397%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X, and then shrank sharply in the following year.

Exports by Country

Australia (X tons) was the main destination for reclaimed rubber exports from South Africa, accounting for a 72% share of total exports. Moreover, reclaimed rubber exports to Australia exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Switzerland (X tons), sixfold. The third position in this ranking was held by China (X tons), with a 5.6% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to Australia totaled +73.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Switzerland (0.0% per year) and China (+240.6% per year).

In value terms, Australia ($X) remains the key foreign market for reclaimed rubber exports from South Africa, comprising 56% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Zimbabwe ($X), with a 6.5% share of total exports. It was followed by China, with a 3% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to Australia stood at +47.8%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Zimbabwe (-11.0% per year) and China (+45.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average reclaimed rubber export price amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 29% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, recorded a deep slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 an increase of 110%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Zimbabwe ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Pakistan ($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 Guinea (+54.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Reclaimed Rubber Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2021, overseas purchases of reclaimed rubber were finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Overall, total imports indicated a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.9% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 51% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, reclaimed rubber imports soared to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a buoyant increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.2% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 62%. Imports peaked in 2021 and are likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

China (X tons), India (X tons) and Egypt (X tons) were the main suppliers of reclaimed rubber imports to South Africa, together comprising 88% of total imports. Saudi Arabia and the Netherlands lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 7.7%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Saudi Arabia (with a CAGR of +80.0%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($X) constituted the largest supplier of reclaimed rubber to South Africa, comprising 57% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by India ($X), with a 24% share of total imports. It was followed by Saudi Arabia, with a 5.7% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from China totaled +10.3%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: India (-0.7% per year) and Saudi Arabia (+71.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average reclaimed rubber import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, increasing by 13% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat 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 the Netherlands ($X per ton), while the price for Egypt ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+4.1%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :