Cameroon: Kaolin Market 2024

Kaolin Market Size in Cameroon

The Cameroonian kaolin market contracted dramatically to $X in 2023, declining by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2023, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Kaolin Production in Cameroon

In value terms, kaolin production fell to $X in 2023 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of X% against the previous year. Kaolin production peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2023, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Kaolin Exports

Exports from Cameroon

In 2023, shipments abroad of kaolin and kaolinic clays decreased by X% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a three-year rising trend. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a resilient expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2022 with an increase of X%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons, and then dropped notably in the following year.

In value terms, kaolin exports contracted sharply to $X in 2023. In general, exports, however, enjoyed a temperate increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2022 when exports increased by X%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X, and then declined dramatically in the following year.

Exports by Country

France (X tons) was the main destination for kaolin exports from Cameroon, with a X% share of total exports. Moreover, kaolin exports to France exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Belgium (X tons), sevenfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Germany (X tons), with a X% share.

From 2012 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of volume to France amounted to X%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Belgium (X% per year) and Germany (X% per year).

In value terms, France ($X) remains the key foreign market for kaolin and kaolinic clays exports from Cameroon, comprising X% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Belgium ($X), with a X% share of total exports. It was followed by Switzerland, with an X% share.

From 2012 to 2023, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to France stood at X%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Belgium (X% per year) and Switzerland (X% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2023, the average kaolin export price amounted to $X per ton, picking up by X% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, showed a deep downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the average export price increased by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2023, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Switzerland ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Germany ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Belgium (X%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Kaolin Imports

Imports into Cameroon

In 2023, the amount of kaolin and kaolinic clays imported into Cameroon soared to X tons, with an increase of X% on 2022. Over the period under review, imports showed a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when imports increased by X%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum in 2023 and are likely to see steady growth in the near future.

In value terms, kaolin imports surged to $X in 2023. Overall, imports continue to indicate a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of X%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2017 to 2023, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2023, Nigeria (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of kaolin to Cameroon, accounting for a X% share of total imports. Moreover, kaolin imports from Nigeria exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, the UK (X tons), fourfold. The Netherlands (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a X% share.

From 2012 to 2023, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Nigeria stood at X%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the UK (X% per year) and the Netherlands (X% per year).

In value terms, Italy ($X), the UK ($X) and Nigeria ($X) appeared to be the largest kaolin suppliers to Cameroon, with a combined X% share of total imports.

Italy, with a CAGR of X%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average kaolin import price stood at $X per ton in 2023, reducing by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price recorded a pronounced contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 an increase of X% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2020 to 2023, the average import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Italy ($X per ton), while the price for Nigeria ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Cote d'Ivoire (X%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform