SADC: Cobalt Market 2022

Cobalt Market Size in SADC

In 2021, the SADC cobalt market decreased by -4.2% to $X, falling for the second year in a row after six years of growth. Over the period under review, consumption, however, showed prominent growth. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Cobalt Production in SADC

In value terms, cobalt production rose notably to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, showed strong growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the production volume increased by 120%. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Cobalt Exports

Exports in SADC

In 2021, shipments abroad of cobalt increased by 18% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after five years of decline. In general, exports, however, showed a abrupt contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 144% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, cobalt exports surged to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, saw a deep slump. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Democratic Republic of the Congo dominates exports structure, accounting for X tons, which was near 78% of total exports in 2021. Mozambique (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by Madagascar (X tons). All these countries together took near 18% share of total exports. South Africa (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo decreased at an average annual rate of -19.0% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Mozambique (+923.4%), Madagascar (+20.2%) and South Africa (+4.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Mozambique emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in SADC, with a CAGR of +923.4% from 2012-2021. While the share of Mozambique (+9.6 p.p.), Madagascar (+7.7 p.p.) and South Africa (+3.4 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of Democratic Republic of the Congo (-18.7 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, the largest cobalt supplying countries in SADC were Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X), Madagascar ($X) and Mozambique ($X), together accounting for 92% of total exports.

Mozambique, with a CAGR of +322.2%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 24% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price recorded a remarkable increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the export price increased by 114%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2021, the export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was Madagascar ($X per ton), while Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Madagascar (+7.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Cobalt Imports

Imports in SADC

In 2021, overseas purchases of cobalt increased by 31% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Overall, imports showed a resilient increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when imports increased by 115%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, cobalt imports soared to $X in 2021. In general, imports saw slight growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when imports increased by 200% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Zambia was the major importing country with an import of about X tons, which recorded 61% of total imports. South Africa (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 16% share, followed by Democratic Republic of the Congo (15%) and Zimbabwe (5.3%).

Imports into Zambia increased at an average annual rate of +9.1% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Democratic Republic of the Congo (+31.8%) and Zimbabwe (+21.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Democratic Republic of the Congo emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in SADC, with a CAGR of +31.8% from 2012-2021. By contrast, South Africa (-5.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Zambia (+14 p.p.), Democratic Republic of the Congo (+13 p.p.) and Zimbabwe (+3.7 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while South Africa saw its share reduced by -27.7% from 2012 to 2021, respectively.

In value terms, South Africa ($X), Zambia ($X) and Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, together comprising 93% of total imports.

In terms of the main importing countries, Democratic Republic of the Congo, with a CAGR of +36.7%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in SADC amounted to $X per ton, falling by -6.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price showed a pronounced setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 39% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was South Africa ($X per ton), while Zambia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Democratic Republic of the Congo (+3.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform