Western Africa: Market for Siliceous Fossil Meals (Kieselguhr, Tripolite and Diatomite) 2025

Market Size for Siliceous Fossil Meals (Kieselguhr, Tripolite and Diatomite) in Western Africa

In 2021, the West African market for siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) increased by 63% to $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Over the period under review, consumption showed a prominent expansion. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Production of Siliceous Fossil Meals (Kieselguhr, Tripolite and Diatomite) in Western Africa

In value terms, production of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) skyrocketed to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, saw a abrupt contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 2,874% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Exports of Siliceous Fossil Meals (Kieselguhr, Tripolite and Diatomite)

Exports in Western Africa

In 2021, the amount of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) exported in Western Africa soared to X tons, rising by 132% compared with 2020. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a noticeable decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 137% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports of hit record highs at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, exports of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) soared to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed a abrupt contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when exports increased by 100%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Nigeria (X tons) represented the major exporter of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite), committing 64% of total exports. Senegal (X tons) took a 24% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Togo (8%). Cote d'Ivoire (X kg) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Exports from Nigeria increased at an average annual rate of +10.8% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Senegal (+13.0%) and Cote d'Ivoire (+7.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Senegal emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Western Africa, with a CAGR of +13.0% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Togo (-12.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Nigeria (+44 p.p.), Senegal (+18 p.p.), Togo (+8 p.p.) and Cote d'Ivoire (+2.3 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, Nigeria ($X), Togo ($X) and Senegal ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, together comprising 88% of total exports. These countries were followed by Cote d'Ivoire, which accounted for a further 12%.

Cote d'Ivoire, with a CAGR of +26.9%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Western Africa stood at $X per ton in 2021, which is down by -19.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price showed a abrupt downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the export price increased by 81% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2021, the export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Togo ($X per ton), while Nigeria ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Togo (+37.8%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Imports of Siliceous Fossil Meals (Kieselguhr, Tripolite and Diatomite)

Imports in Western Africa

After two years of decline, supplies from abroad of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) increased by 77% to X tons in 2021. In general, imports continue to indicate buoyant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when imports increased by 123%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of imports of remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, imports of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) surged to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports recorded a strong expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 160% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of imports of remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Nigeria represented the key importing country with an import of about X tons, which amounted to 57% of total imports. Burkina Faso (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, followed by Ghana (X tons) and Cote d'Ivoire (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 28% share of total imports. Togo (X tons), Benin (X tons) and Guinea (X tons) took a relatively small share of total imports.

Imports into Nigeria increased at an average annual rate of +7.6% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Burkina Faso (+17.2%), Guinea (+17.1%), Benin (+11.7%), Ghana (+9.7%), Cote d'Ivoire (+7.6%) and Togo (+5.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Burkina Faso emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Western Africa, with a CAGR of +17.2% from 2012-2021. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Burkina Faso increased by +6.1 percentage points. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Nigeria ($X), Burkina Faso ($X) and Cote d'Ivoire ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, together comprising 72% of total imports.

In terms of the main importing countries, Burkina Faso, with a CAGR of +22.1%, 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 2021, the import price in Western Africa amounted to $X per ton, falling by -8.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price showed a mild contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the import price increased by 16% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2021, the import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Burkina Faso ($X per ton), while Nigeria ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Burkina Faso (+4.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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