Tanzania: Sulphuric Acid Market 2024

Sulphuric Acid Market Size in Tanzania

The Tanzanian sulphuric acid market surged to $X in 2022, growing by 84% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Overall, consumption recorded a strong increase. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Sulphuric Acid Exports

Exports from Tanzania

In 2022, shipments abroad of sulphuric acid and oleum decreased by -94.2% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. In general, exports saw a deep reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when exports increased by 579%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, sulphuric acid exports declined dramatically to $X in 2022. Overall, exports showed a noticeable shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by 780% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons) was the main destination for sulphuric acid exports from Tanzania, with a 80% share of total exports. Moreover, sulphuric acid exports to Democratic Republic of the Congo exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Burundi (X tons), sixfold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to Democratic Republic of the Congo amounted to -24.9%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Burundi (+47.5% per year) and Zambia (+95.3% per year).

In value terms, Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X) emerged as the key foreign market for sulphuric acid and oleum exports from Tanzania, comprising 85% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Burundi ($X), with an 11% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Democratic Republic of the Congo amounted to -15.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Burundi (+62.4% per year) and Zambia (+85.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average sulphuric acid export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, jumping by 33% against the previous year. Over the period under review, export price indicated a measured increase 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. Based on 2022 figures, sulphuric acid export price increased by +80.7% against 2016 indices. As a result, the export price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: 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 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Democratic Republic of the Congo (+12.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Sulphuric Acid Imports

Imports into Tanzania

In 2022, approx. X tons of sulphuric acid and oleum were imported into Tanzania; jumping by 44% compared with the year before. In general, total imports indicated measured growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.6% 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 +69.4% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when imports increased by 60%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, sulphuric acid imports surged to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports posted a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when imports increased by 117% against the previous year. Imports peaked in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

Kenya (X tons), India (X tons) and South Africa (X tons) were the main suppliers of sulphuric acid imports to Tanzania, with a combined 94% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for South Africa (with a CAGR of +35.4%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Kenya ($X), India ($X) and South Africa ($X) appeared to be the largest sulphuric acid suppliers to Tanzania, together accounting for 93% of total imports.

In terms of the main suppliers, South Africa, with a CAGR of +39.1%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average sulphuric acid import price amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 32% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import price indicated a temperate increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, sulphuric acid import price increased by +57.2% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the average import price increased by 36% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2022, the average import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the highest price was recorded for prices from Thailand ($X per ton) and South Africa ($X per ton), while the price for Kenya ($X per ton) and India ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Africa (+2.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform