Africa: Caustic Soda Market 2024

Caustic Soda Market Size in Africa

The African caustic soda market contracted to $X in 2023, waning by X% against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2023, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Caustic Soda Production in Africa

In value terms, caustic soda production expanded significantly to $X in 2023 estimated in export price. Overall, production recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of X% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2023, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Caustic Soda Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2023, overseas shipments of caustic soda increased by X% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. Total exports indicated prominent growth from 2012 to 2023: its volume increased at an average annual rate of X% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2023 figures, exports increased by X% against 2021 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2022 with an increase of X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs in 2023 and are likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

In value terms, caustic soda exports reduced to $X in 2023. Over the period under review, exports saw a resilient increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 with an increase of X%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X, and then contracted in the following year.

Exports by Country

Egypt prevails in exports structure, reaching X tons, which was near X% of total exports in 2023. South Africa (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Egypt was also the fastest-growing in terms of the caustic soda exports, with a CAGR of X% from 2012 to 2023. South Africa (X%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Egypt (X p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2023, the share of South Africa (X p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Egypt ($X) remains the largest caustic soda supplier in Africa, comprising X% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by South Africa ($X), with a X% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2023, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Egypt amounted to X%.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2023, which is down by X% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, enjoyed mild growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 an increase of X%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton, and then dropped rapidly in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was South Africa ($X per ton), while Egypt amounted to $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Egypt (X%).

Caustic Soda Imports

Imports in Africa

For the third year in a row, Africa recorded growth in purchases abroad of caustic soda, which increased by X% to X tons in 2023. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of X% over the period from 2012 to 2023; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum in 2023 and are likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

In value terms, caustic soda imports declined significantly to $X in 2023. Over the period under review, imports posted a tangible expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2022 with an increase of X% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X, and then dropped markedly in the following year.

Imports by Country

South Africa was the main importer of caustic soda in Africa, with the volume of imports reaching X tons, which was near X% of total imports in 2023. Nigeria (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a X% share, followed by Guinea (X%) and Kenya (X%). Cote d'Ivoire (X tons), Cameroon (X tons), Tanzania (X tons), Ghana (X tons), Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons), Morocco (X tons), Uganda (X tons), Djibouti (X tons) and Algeria (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into South Africa increased at an average annual rate of X% from 2012 to 2023. At the same time, Djibouti (X%), Democratic Republic of the Congo (X%), Guinea (X%), Cote d'Ivoire (X%), Tanzania (X%), Uganda (X%), Nigeria (X%), Ghana (X%), Algeria (X%) and Cameroon (X%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Djibouti emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Africa, with a CAGR of X% from 2012-2023. Kenya experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Morocco (X%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2023, the share of South Africa, Guinea and Djibouti increased by X, X and X percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest caustic soda importing markets in Africa were South Africa ($X), Nigeria ($X) and Cote d'Ivoire ($X), together comprising X% of total imports. Kenya, Guinea, Ghana, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cameroon, Djibouti, Morocco, Uganda and Algeria lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further X%.

Among the main importing countries, Djibouti, with a CAGR of X%, saw the highest growth rate of 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 2023, the import price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, falling by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2022 when the import price increased by X% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton, and then fell notably in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2023, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X per ton), while South Africa ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Morocco (X%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform