South Africa: Solid Biofuel Market 2025

Solid Biofuel Market Size in South Africa

In 2022, the South African solid biofuel market increased by X% to $X, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. Over the period under review, consumption, however, recorded a deep contraction. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Solid Biofuel Production in South Africa

In value terms, solid biofuel production shrank dramatically to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production showed a deep downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of X%. Solid biofuel production peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Solid Biofuel Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2022, overseas shipments of solid biofuels increased by X% to X tons, rising for the sixth year in a row after four years of decline. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a deep slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, solid biofuel exports fell to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of X% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2021, and then declined in the following year.

Exports by Country

The UK (X tons) was the main destination for solid biofuel exports from South Africa, accounting for a X% share of total exports. Moreover, solid biofuel exports to the UK exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, the Netherlands (X tons), threefold. The United Arab Emirates (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a X% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to the UK amounted to X%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the Netherlands (X% per year) and the United Arab Emirates (X% per year).

In value terms, the UK ($X) remains the key foreign market for solid biofuels exports from South Africa, comprising X% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the Netherlands ($X), with a X% share of total exports. It was followed by the United Arab Emirates, with an X% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to the UK stood at X%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the Netherlands (X% per year) and the United Arab Emirates (X% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average solid biofuel export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, reducing by X% against the previous year. Overall, export price indicated a buoyant expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of X% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 an increase of X%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2021, and then fell notably in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Jordan ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the UK (X%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Solid Biofuel Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2022, approx. X tons of solid biofuels were imported into South Africa; surging by X% compared with the previous year. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of X% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, solid biofuel imports expanded sharply to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a remarkable increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of X% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by X% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of X%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Namibia (X tons) was the main supplier of solid biofuel to South Africa, accounting for a X% share of total imports. Moreover, solid biofuel imports from Namibia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, China (X tons), more than tenfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Zimbabwe (X tons), with a X% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from Namibia stood at X%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: China (X% per year) and Zimbabwe (X% per year).

In value terms, Namibia ($X) constituted the largest supplier of solid biofuels to South Africa, comprising X% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by China ($X), with a X% share of total imports. It was followed by Zimbabwe, with a X% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from Namibia totaled X%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: China (X% per year) and Zimbabwe (X% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average solid biofuel import price amounted to $X per ton, reducing by X% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of X%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average import price increased by X%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton, and then shrank in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while the price for Germany ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (X%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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