Crude and rifted sheets or splittings mica market in Northern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market for crude and rifted mica sheets in Northern Africa underwent a dramatic reduction in volume between 2018 and 2022. Overall market size fell from approximately 49.8 thousand tonnes to just 20.2 thousand tonnes, representing a contraction of nearly 60% over the five-year period. This steep decline was principally fueled by a collapse in domestic production, which more than halved, while external trade flows remained minimal and did little to alter the market's trajectory.

The pace of decline was not uniform, with the most pronounced annual drop occurring in 2021 when the market shrank by over one-third. Imports, which had provided a minor buffer in 2020, fell to zero in subsequent years, and exports only emerged as a marginal factor from 2021 onward. The consistent downtrend points to sustained pressures on local production capacity throughout the observed timeframe.

Production crude and rifted sheets or splittings mica in Northern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of crude and rifted sheets or splittings mica, 2017-2020

World map of production of crude and rifted sheets or splittings mica, 2017-2020

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Production reached its lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a {ampRatio}× gap between these years. In 2020, Northern Africa produced 39 600 tonnes of crude and rifted sheets or splittings mica, which represents a 19.0% decrease compared to the previous year.

Annual dynamics of production in Northern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports crude and rifted sheets or splittings mica from Northern Africa

As detailed in market analysis, there was no export of crude and rifted sheets or splittings mica from Northern Africa between 2017 and 2020.

Imports crude and rifted sheets or splittings mica to Northern Africa

Imports in kind, t

Market behavior during these years was characterized by volatility. The lowest import volume of {context} {volume} was recorded in 2019, while the highest occurred in 2020, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 10.8 times. In 2020, Northern Africa imported 290.5 tonnes of crude and rifted sheets or splittings mica, marking a 978.7% increase from the prior year. The minimum value was 26.9 tonnes in 2019, and the largest decline of 66.3% was also recorded in that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Northern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, imports in kind of crude and rifted sheets or splittings mica to Northern Africa were primarily directed towards China and India. Together, these two countries accounted for 80.7% of total flows, with other destinations playing a secondary role.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Northern Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. The period saw its lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with a 10.1× difference. In 2020, Northern Africa imported {value_last_year} thousand US dollars worth of crude and rifted sheets or splittings mica, reflecting a 911.5% increase compared to 2019. The minimum value was 24.3 thousand US dollars in 2019, and the largest decline of 68.7% was also recorded in that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Northern Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for imports in value terms were China (63.4% of imports), India (15.8% of imports), and Spain (4.6% of imports). Together, these three countries accounted for 83.8% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Northern Africa in value, 2017-2020