SADC: Refined Lead Market 2023

Refined Lead Market Size in SADC

The SADC refined lead market shrank to $X in 2022, approximately mirroring the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2021, and then fell modestly in the following year.

Refined Lead Production in SADC

In value terms, refined lead production amounted to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total production indicated tangible growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production increased by +24.8% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the production volume increased by 29% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Refined Lead Exports

Exports in SADC

Refined lead exports surged to X tons in 2022, picking up by 35% against the previous year's figure. Overall, exports enjoyed a buoyant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 36%. The volume of export peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, refined lead exports soared to $X in 2022. In general, exports posted a prominent expansion. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

In 2022, South Africa (X tons) was the key exporter of refined lead (unwrought), committing 65% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Tanzania (X tons), achieving a 23% share of total exports. Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons), Zambia (X tons) and Namibia (X tons) held a relatively small share of total exports.

Exports from South Africa increased at an average annual rate of +16.4% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Democratic Republic of the Congo (+46.2%), Tanzania (+10.3%) and Namibia (+2.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Democratic Republic of the Congo emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in SADC, with a CAGR of +46.2% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Zambia (-8.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. South Africa (+24 p.p.) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (+4.1 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Tanzania, Namibia and Zambia saw its share reduced by -1.6%, -1.9% and -21.9% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) remains the largest refined lead supplier in SADC, comprising 65% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Tanzania ($X), with a 24% share of total exports. It was followed by Democratic Republic of the Congo, with a 4.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in South Africa stood at +17.3%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Tanzania (+10.8% per year) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (+48.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in SADC amounted to $X per ton, almost unchanged from the previous year. In general, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 23%. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, major exporting countries recorded the following prices: in Namibia ($X per ton) and Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X per ton), while Zambia ($X per ton) and South Africa ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Democratic Republic of the Congo (+1.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Refined Lead Imports

Imports in SADC

For the fourth year in a row, SADC recorded decline in supplies from abroad of refined lead (unwrought), which decreased by -0.4% to X tons in 2022. In general, imports saw a perceptible downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when imports increased by 38% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, refined lead imports expanded remarkably to $X in 2022. Overall, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 60% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

South Africa represented the major importing country with an import of about X tons, which recorded 74% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Botswana (X tons), comprising a 19% share of total imports. The following importers - Zambia (X tons) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons) - together made up 5.4% of total imports.

Imports into South Africa decreased at an average annual rate of -5.2% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Zambia (+28.1%), Democratic Republic of the Congo (+23.3%) and Botswana (+14.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Zambia emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in SADC, with a CAGR of +28.1% from 2012-2022. While the share of Botswana (+15 p.p.), Zambia (+3.3 p.p.) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (+1.6 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of South Africa (-18.5 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported refined lead (unwrought) in SADC, comprising 74% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Botswana ($X), with a 20% share of total imports. It was followed by Zambia, with a 3.7% 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 Zambia (+28.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2022, rising by 9.5% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.6%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the import price increased by 38% 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 somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in Botswana ($X per ton) and Zambia ($X per ton), while Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X per ton) and South Africa ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

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

Source: IndexBox Platform

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