Africa: Quicklime Market 2023

Quicklime Market Size in Africa

The African quicklime market expanded markedly to $X in 2021, increasing by 5.9% against the previous year. Overall, consumption showed a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Quicklime Production in Africa

In value terms, quicklime production expanded significantly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 16%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2021, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Quicklime Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2021, overseas shipments of quicklime decreased by -33.4% to X tons for the first time since 2016, thus ending a four-year rising trend. Over the period under review, exports, however, posted a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 40% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons, and then declined remarkably in the following year.

In value terms, quicklime exports shrank significantly to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a mild expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 55% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2020, and then shrank significantly in the following year.

Exports by Country

Zambia dominates exports structure, resulting at X tons, which was near 71% of total exports in 2021. Ghana (X tons) took an 8.2% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Morocco (5.7%), Tunisia (5.2%) and South Africa (5.1%).

Exports from Zambia increased at an average annual rate of +25.5% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Morocco (+72.4%), Tunisia (+27.6%) and Ghana (+6.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Morocco emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Africa, with a CAGR of +72.4% from 2012-2021. By contrast, South Africa (-17.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Zambia, Morocco and Tunisia increased by +54, +5.6 and +4.1 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Zambia ($X) remains the largest quicklime supplier in Africa, comprising 64% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Ghana ($X), with a 19% share of total exports. It was followed by South Africa, with a 4.8% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Zambia amounted to +17.4%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Ghana (+5.1% per year) and South Africa (-21.4% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, shrinking by -22.2% against the previous year. In general, the export price saw a abrupt decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 an increase of 18% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Ghana (-0.8%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Quicklime Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2021, overseas purchases of quicklime decreased by -26.5% to X tons for the first time since 2016, thus ending a four-year rising trend. Over the period under review, imports, however, recorded a tangible expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 39% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2020, and then shrank notably in the following year.

In value terms, quicklime imports declined rapidly to $X in 2021. Overall, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 48% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at $X in 2020, and then plummeted in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons) was the main importer of quicklime, achieving 43% of total imports. Ghana (X tons) took a 17% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Guinea (6.5%) and South Africa (6.4%). Burkina Faso (X tons), Zambia (X tons), Eritrea (X tons), Cote d'Ivoire (X tons), Mali (X tons) and Mauritania (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to quicklime imports into Democratic Republic of the Congo stood at +10.9%. At the same time, Eritrea (+40.3%), Mauritania (+11.4%), Burkina Faso (+6.3%), Guinea (+4.2%), Mali (+3.5%), Cote d'Ivoire (+2.5%), South Africa (+2.0%) and Zambia (+1.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Eritrea emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Africa, with a CAGR of +40.3% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Ghana (-2.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Democratic Republic of the Congo (+18 p.p.) and Eritrea (+3.1 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Ghana saw its share reduced by -14.8% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported quicklime in Africa, comprising 40% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Ghana ($X), with an 11% share of total imports. It was followed by Burkina Faso, with a 10% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Democratic Republic of the Congo totaled +3.1%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Ghana (-10.0% per year) and Burkina Faso (+5.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2021, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, saw a pronounced decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the import price increased by 6.5%. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Burkina Faso ($X per ton), while Eritrea ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Guinea (+2.0%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform

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