Africa: Refined Lead Market 2024

Refined Lead Market Size in Africa

In 2022, the African refined lead market increased by 0.9% to $X, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. Overall, consumption, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2018; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Refined Lead Production in Africa

In value terms, refined lead production stood at $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the production volume increased by 29% against the previous year. The level of production peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Refined Lead Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2022, overseas shipments of refined lead (unwrought) increased by 48% to X tons, rising for the fourth consecutive year after four years of decline. Overall, exports saw a strong increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 52%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, refined lead exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. In general, exports posted a remarkable increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 71%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Nigeria (X tons) represented the largest exporter of refined lead (unwrought), achieving 57% of total exports. South Africa (X tons) took a 17% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Ghana (13%) and Tanzania (6%).

Exports from Nigeria increased at an average annual rate of +13.5% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Ghana (+29.5%), South Africa (+16.4%) and Tanzania (+10.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Ghana emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Africa, with a CAGR of +29.5% from 2012-2022. Nigeria (+29 p.p.), Ghana (+11 p.p.), South Africa (+10 p.p.) and Tanzania (+2.1 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 ($X) remains the largest refined lead supplier in Africa, comprising 58% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by South Africa ($X), with a 17% share of total exports. It was followed by Ghana, with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Nigeria stood at +10.5%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: South Africa (+17.3% per year) and Ghana (+30.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2022, rising by 3.3% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the export price increased by 19% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, major exporting countries recorded the following prices: in Tanzania ($X per ton) and Nigeria ($X per ton), while Ghana ($X per ton) and South Africa ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Ghana (+1.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Refined Lead Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was decline in supplies from abroad of refined lead (unwrought), when their volume decreased by -1.6% to X tons. Overall, imports saw a abrupt downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 8.7% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, refined lead imports expanded slightly to $X in 2022. In general, imports recorded a noticeable reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 13% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

South Africa was the key importer of refined lead (unwrought) in Africa, with the volume of imports accounting for X tons, which was near 48% of total imports in 2022. Tunisia (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 14% share, followed by Botswana (12%), Algeria (6.7%) and Kenya (5.6%). The following importers - Zambia (X tons), Egypt (X tons) and Morocco (X tons) - each resulted at a 6.2% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to refined lead imports into South Africa stood at -5.2%. At the same time, Zambia (+28.1%), Morocco (+14.9%), Botswana (+14.5%) and Kenya (+3.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Zambia emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Africa, with a CAGR of +28.1% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Tunisia (-5.8%), Algeria (-11.5%) and Egypt (-22.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Botswana, Kenya, South Africa and Zambia increased by +11, +3.4, +2.2 and +2.2 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported refined lead (unwrought) in Africa, comprising 49% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Botswana ($X), with a 13% share of total imports. It was followed by Tunisia, with a 12% share.

In South Africa, refined lead imports contracted by an average annual rate of -2.6% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Botswana (+15.3% per year) and Tunisia (-6.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 3.9% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.4%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 30% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2018 to 2022, the import prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in Morocco ($X per ton) and Algeria ($X per ton), while Tunisia ($X per ton) and Kenya ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Africa (+2.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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