South Africa: Silicates Market 2024

Silicates Market Size in South Africa

After four years of growth, the South African silicates market decreased by -6.7% to $X in 2021. Overall, consumption continues to indicate a slight decline. Silicates consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Silicates Production in South Africa

In value terms, silicates production fell to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production continues to indicate a noticeable shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the production volume increased by 27% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the maximum level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Silicates Exports

Exports from South Africa

Silicates exports from South Africa declined significantly to X tons in 2021, which is down by -20.9% on 2020. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a prominent expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 79%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, silicates exports reduced to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when exports increased by 72%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Zambia (X tons) was the main destination for silicates exports from South Africa, accounting for a 71% share of total exports. Moreover, silicates exports to Zambia exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Zimbabwe (X tons), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons), with a 5.9% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to Zambia amounted to +54.7%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Zimbabwe (+0.6% per year) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (-16.8% per year).

In value terms, Zambia ($X) remains the key foreign market for silicates, commercial alkali metal silicates exports from South Africa, comprising 55% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Zimbabwe ($X), with an 18% share of total exports. It was followed by Democratic Republic of the Congo, with a 10% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to Zambia amounted to +31.7%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Zimbabwe (-2.1% per year) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (-15.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average silicates export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, increasing by 7.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, recorded a perceptible reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the average export price increased by 29% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2021, the average 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 Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Zambia ($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 (+2.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Silicates Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2021, the amount of silicates, commercial alkali metal silicates imported into South Africa expanded remarkably to X tons, surging by 8.5% on 2020 figures. Overall, total imports indicated a notable expansion 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 increased by +25.9% against 2016 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 71% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, silicates imports soared to $X in 2021. In general, total imports indicated a noticeable increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 67%. Imports peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, China (X tons) constituted the largest silicates supplier to South Africa, with a 68% share of total imports. Moreover, silicates imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Egypt (X tons), fivefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by India (X tons), with a 5.9% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from China totaled +17.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Egypt (-9.6% per year) and India (+5.8% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) constituted the largest supplier of silicates, commercial alkali metal silicates to South Africa, comprising 55% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by the Netherlands ($X), with an 11% share of total imports. It was followed by Egypt, with a 6.9% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value from China amounted to +18.3%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the Netherlands (+1.2% per year) and Egypt (-11.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average silicates import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 14% against the previous year. Overall, the import price continues to indicate a modest increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the average import price increased by 42% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2021, the average 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 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 Kenya (+7.4%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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