South Africa: Zinc Market 2025

Zinc Market Size in South Africa

The South African zinc market reduced slightly to $X in 2022, declining by -3.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption saw a resilient increase. Zinc consumption peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Zinc Production in South Africa

In value terms, zinc production declined to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, recorded a resilient increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 91% against the previous year. Zinc production peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Zinc Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2022, shipments abroad of zinc, unwrought (not alloyed) decreased by -78.2% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a abrupt shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 228%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, zinc exports dropped sharply to $X in 2022. In general, exports saw a abrupt shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 318%. The exports peaked at $X in 2021, and then contracted dramatically in the following year.

Exports by Country

Kenya (X tons) was the main destination for zinc exports from South Africa, accounting for a 71% share of total exports. Moreover, zinc exports to Kenya exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Zimbabwe (X tons), threefold. Sri Lanka (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 4.6% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Kenya was relatively modest. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Zimbabwe (-22.9% per year) and Sri Lanka (+40.8% per year).

In value terms, Kenya ($X) emerged as the key foreign market for zinc, unwrought (not alloyed) exports from South Africa, comprising 69% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Zimbabwe ($X), with a 20% share of total exports. It was followed by Sri Lanka, with a 7.2% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Kenya totaled +38.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Zimbabwe (-18.7% per year) and Sri Lanka (+43.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average zinc export price amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 21% against the previous year. Over the period under review, export price indicated a resilient increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +5.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, zinc export price increased by +110.7% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average export price increased by 74%. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Sri Lanka ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Zimbabwe ($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 Kenya (+38.0%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Zinc Imports

Imports into South Africa

Zinc imports into South Africa expanded sharply to X tons in 2022, surging by 7.6% compared with the year before. In general, total imports indicated slight growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% 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 +70.5% against 2018 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 84%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, zinc imports surged to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a buoyant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when imports increased by 93% against the previous year. Imports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Brazil (X tons) constituted the largest zinc supplier to South Africa, accounting for a 55% share of total imports. Moreover, zinc imports from Brazil exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, India (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was held by Congo (X tons), with an 8.2% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from Brazil amounted to +10.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: India (-0.3% per year) and Congo (0.0% per year).

In value terms, Brazil ($X) constituted the largest supplier of zinc, unwrought (not alloyed) to South Africa, comprising 56% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by India ($X), with a 19% share of total imports. It was followed by Peru, with a 5.1% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from Brazil amounted to +14.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: India (+3.8% per year) and Peru (+5.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average zinc import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, picking up by 25% against the previous year. In general, import price indicated a moderate expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the average import price increased by 38%. The import price peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X per ton), while the price for Spain ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Japan (+7.6%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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