Africa: Clays Market Overview 2020

Clays Market Size in Africa

After two years of growth, the African clays market decreased by -X% to $X in 2019. The total consumption indicated a slight increase from 2007 to 2019: its value increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the last twelve-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the market value increased by X% year-to-year. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2018, and then declined rapidly in the following year.

Clays Production in Africa

In value terms, clays production contracted to $X in 2019 estimated in export prices. The total production indicated a tangible increase from 2007 to 2019: its value increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the last twelve-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2019 figures, production increased by +X% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of X% y-o-y. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X, leveling off in the following year.

Production By Country in Africa

Senegal (X tonnes) remains the largest clays producing country in Africa, comprising approx. X% of total volume. Moreover, clays production in Senegal exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Morocco (X tonnes), twofold.

In Senegal, clays production increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the period from 2007-2019. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Morocco (+X% per year) and Kenya (+X% per year).

Clays Exports

Exports in Africa

After two years of decline, overseas shipments of clays (excluding fireclay, bentonite, kaolin and other kaolinic clays and expanded clay) increased by X% to X tonnes in 2019. Total exports indicated buoyant growth from 2007 to 2019: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the last twelve years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, exports reached the peak figure at X tonnes in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2019, exports failed to regain the momentum.

In value terms, clays exports skyrocketed to $X in 2019. Total exports indicated a strong expansion from 2007 to 2019: its value increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the last twelve years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2019 figures, exports increased by +X% against 2015 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2008 when exports increased by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, exports attained the maximum in 2019 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

Senegal (X tonnes) and Morocco (X tonnes) prevails in clays exports structure, together constituting X% of total exports. Kenya (X tonnes) occupied a relatively small share of total exports.

From 2007 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by Kenya (+X% per year), while exports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Senegal ($X) remains the largest clays supplier in Africa, comprising X% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Morocco ($X), with a X% share of total exports.

In Senegal, clays exports increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the period from 2007-2019. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Morocco (+X% per year) and Kenya (+X% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The clays export price in Africa stood at $X per tonne in 2019, shrinking by -X% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the export price increased by X% y-o-y. As a result, export price reached the peak level of $X per tonne, and then declined dramatically in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2019, the country with the highest price was Senegal ($X per tonne), while Morocco ($X per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Senegal, while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Clays Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2019, the amount of clays (excluding fireclay, bentonite, kaolin and other kaolinic clays and expanded clay) imported in Africa expanded sharply to X tonnes, surging by X% against 2018. In general, imports enjoyed notable growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2008 when imports increased by X% year-to-year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at X tonnes in 2011; however, from 2012 to 2019, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, clays imports expanded notably to $X in 2019. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +X% from 2007 to 2019; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of X% year-to-year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2019, imports failed to regain the momentum.

Imports by Country

Algeria prevails in clays imports structure, reaching X tonnes, which was near X% of total imports in 2019. The following importers - South Africa (X tonnes), Morocco (X tonnes), Kenya (X tonnes), Nigeria (X tonnes), Cote d'Ivoire (X tonnes), Tunisia (X tonnes) and Ghana (X tonnes) - together made up X% of total imports.

From 2007 to 2019, average annual rates of growth with regard to clays imports into Algeria stood at +X%. At the same time, Cote d'Ivoire (+X%), Ghana (+X%), Nigeria (+X%) and Morocco (+X%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Cote d'Ivoire emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Africa, with a CAGR of +X% from 2007-2019. By contrast, Kenya (-X%), South Africa (-X%) and Tunisia (-X%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Algeria (+X p.p.), Cote d'Ivoire (+X p.p.), Nigeria (+X p.p.) and Ghana (+X p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2007-2019, the share of South Africa (-X p.p.) and Tunisia (-X p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Algeria ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported clays (excluding fireclay, bentonite, kaolin and other kaolinic clays and expanded clay) in Africa, comprising X% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Kenya ($X), with a X% share of total imports. It was followed by South Africa, with a X% share.

In Algeria, clays imports plunged by an average annual rate of -X% over the period from 2007-2019. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Kenya (+X% per year) and South Africa (+X% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2019, the clays import price in Africa amounted to $X per tonne, declining by -X% against the previous year. In general, the import price continues to indicate a slight contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when the import price increased by X% y-o-y. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per tonne in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2019, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2019, the country with the highest price was Cote d'Ivoire ($X per tonne), while Algeria ($X per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Kenya, while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox AI Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :

What are the largest markets for clays (excluding fireclay, bentonite, kaolin and other kaolinic clays and expanded clay) in Africa?

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The countries with the highest volumes of clays consumption in 2019 were Senegal (93K tonnes), Algeria (88K tonnes) and Morocco (14K tonnes), together comprising 88% of total consumption. These countries were followed by Nigeria, South Africa and Cote d'Ivoire, which together accounted for a further 5.1%.

What are the largest producers of clays (excluding fireclay, bentonite, kaolin and other kaolinic clays and expanded clay) in Africa?

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Senegal (241K tonnes) remains the largest clays producing country in Africa, comprising approx. 66% of total volume. Moreover, clays production in Senegal exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Morocco (113K tonnes), twofold.

What are the leading suppliers of clays (excluding fireclay, bentonite, kaolin and other kaolinic clays and expanded clay) in Africa?

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In value terms, Senegal ($21M) remains the largest clays supplier in Africa, comprising 72% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Morocco ($6.4M), with a 22% share of total exports.

What are the leading importers of clays (excluding fireclay, bentonite, kaolin and other kaolinic clays and expanded clay) in Africa?

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In value terms, Algeria ($8M) constitutes the largest market for imported clays (excluding fireclay, bentonite, kaolin and other kaolinic clays and expanded clay) in Africa, comprising 39% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Kenya ($2.1M), with a 10% share of total imports. It was followed by South Africa, with a 10% share.

What is the average export price for clays (excluding fireclay, bentonite, kaolin and other kaolinic clays and expanded clay) in Africa?

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The clays export price in Africa stood at $111 per tonne in 2019, falling by -21.2% against the previous year.

What is the average import price for clays (excluding fireclay, bentonite, kaolin and other kaolinic clays and expanded clay) in Africa?

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In 2019, the clays import price in Africa amounted to $169 per tonne, with a decrease of -3.5% against the previous year.