Western Africa: Market for Carnallite, Sylvite and Other Crude Natural Potassium Salts, Potassium Magnesium Sulphate and Mixtures of Potassic Fertilisers 2024

Market Size for Carnallite, Sylvite and Other Crude Natural Potassium Salts, Potassium Magnesium Sulphate and Mixtures of Potassic Fertilisers in Western Africa

After four years of growth, the West African market for carnallite, sylvite and other crude natural potassium salts, potassium magnesium sulphate and mixtures of potassic fertilisers decreased by -29.3% to $X in 2022. In general, consumption, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production of Carnallite, Sylvite and Other Crude Natural Potassium Salts, Potassium Magnesium Sulphate and Mixtures of Potassic Fertilisers in Western Africa

In value terms, production of carnallite, sylvite and other crude natural potassium salts, potassium magnesium sulphate and mixtures of potassic fertilisers stood at $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production showed a perceptible decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the production volume increased by 2%. Over the period under review, production of reached the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Exports of Carnallite, Sylvite and Other Crude Natural Potassium Salts, Potassium Magnesium Sulphate and Mixtures of Potassic Fertilisers

Exports in Western Africa

In 2022, after three years of growth, there was decline in shipments abroad of carnallite, sylvite and other crude natural potassium salts, potassium magnesium sulphate and mixtures of potassic fertilisers, when their volume decreased by -4.7% to X tons. In general, exports recorded a mild slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 56% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the exports of failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, exports of carnallite, sylvite and other crude natural potassium salts, potassium magnesium sulphate and mixtures of potassic fertilisers shrank to $X in 2022. Overall, exports recorded a mild slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 42%. Over the period under review, the exports of hit record highs at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Mauritania (X tons) was the largest exporter of carnallite, sylvite and other crude natural potassium salts, potassium magnesium sulphate and mixtures of potassic fertilisers, generating 86% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Togo (X tons), making up a 12% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to carnallite, sylvite and other crude natural potassium salts, potassium magnesium sulphate and mixtures of potassic fertilisers exports from Mauritania stood at +13.2%. At the same time, Togo (+46.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Togo emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Western Africa, with a CAGR of +46.8% from 2012-2022. Mauritania (+64 p.p.) and Togo (+11 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Mauritania ($X) remains the largest carnallite, sylvite and other crude natural potassium salts, potassium magnesium sulphate and mixtures of potassic fertilisers supplier in Western Africa, comprising 68% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Togo ($X), with a 30% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Mauritania stood at +4.1%.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Western Africa stood at $X per ton in 2022, approximately reflecting the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the export price increased by 67%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2022, the export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Togo ($X per ton), while Mauritania amounted to $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Togo (-5.1%).

Imports of Carnallite, Sylvite and Other Crude Natural Potassium Salts, Potassium Magnesium Sulphate and Mixtures of Potassic Fertilisers

Imports in Western Africa

In 2022, overseas purchases of carnallite, sylvite and other crude natural potassium salts, potassium magnesium sulphate and mixtures of potassic fertilisers decreased by -32.9% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Overall, imports recorded a perceptible curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when imports increased by 95% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, imports of carnallite, sylvite and other crude natural potassium salts, potassium magnesium sulphate and mixtures of potassic fertilisers reduced notably to $X in 2022. In general, imports recorded a pronounced reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 48%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Ghana was the major importing country with an import of about X tons, which recorded 66% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Nigeria (X tons), Mali (X tons) and Senegal (X tons), together achieving a 28% share of total imports. Gambia (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to carnallite, sylvite and other crude natural potassium salts, potassium magnesium sulphate and mixtures of potassic fertilisers imports into Ghana stood at -4.1%. At the same time, Senegal (+39.5%), Gambia (+18.1%) and Nigeria (+9.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Senegal emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Western Africa, with a CAGR of +39.5% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Mali (-4.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Nigeria (+11 p.p.), Senegal (+5.9 p.p.) and Gambia (+3.3 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Ghana saw its share reduced by -8.2% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest carnallite, sylvite and other crude natural potassium salts, potassium magnesium sulphate and mixtures of potassic fertilisers importing markets in Western Africa were Nigeria ($X), Ghana ($X) and Mali ($X), with a combined 88% share of total imports. Senegal and Gambia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 9.2%.

In terms of the main importing countries, Senegal, with a CAGR of +30.8%, 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

The import price in Western Africa stood at $X per ton in 2022, shrinking by -10.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, saw a slight increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the import price increased by 51%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2020 to 2022, the import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Nigeria ($X per ton), while Ghana ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Nigeria (+10.9%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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