Fluorspar market in Africa

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the African fluorspar market volume was 117.7 thousand tons, a period marked by the cessation of operations at the state-owned Kenya Fluorspar Company due to declining global demand and prices, which reduced export flows. The market volume then rose to 199.5 thousand tons in 2019 as the supply chain adjusted to the absence of this major producer.

Market expansion continued, reaching 244.1 thousand tons in 2020 and 410.9 thousand tons in 2021. A contraction to 288.5 thousand tons followed in 2022, coinciding with calls from Kenyan local government officials to revive domestic fluorspar mining to boost the economy and create jobs, highlighting ongoing production challenges.

By 2024, a significant shift occurred as a UK-based consortium invested approximately USD 35 million to restart mining operations, secured a 25-year license, and partnered with a Chinese firm to refurbish the processing plant, driven by rising global demand for fluorspar as a critical mineral in clean energy technologies and electric vehicle batteries.

Production fluorspar in Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of fluorspar, 2017-2020

World map of production of fluorspar, 2017-2020

After two years of decline, fluorspar production in Africa rebounded. In 2020, Africa produced 404.8 thousand tons of fluorspar, marking a significant 42.4% increase compared to 2019. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 284.2 thousand tons, which saw the largest decline of 14.1%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 18.9%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 5.9%.

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

Exports fluorspar from Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of decrease, Africa's fluorspar export volume recovered. In 2020, exports reached 244.1 thousand tons, rising by 45.9% year-on-year. The lowest export level was recorded in 2019 at 167.3 thousand tons, which experienced the largest decline of 41.9%. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 20.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands, the United States, and Norway were the primary destinations for Africa's fluorspar exports by volume. The Netherlands accounted for 24.1% of exports, the United States for 15.9%, and Norway for 12.8%. Together, these three countries absorbed 52.9% of total fluorspar exports from Africa.

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

World map of product's exports from Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Africa's fluorspar exports in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were recorded at 66 183 thousand US dollars, showing a 6.6% drop compared to 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 89 127 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 36.0%. In 2019, exports experienced the largest decline of 20.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, the United States, and Norway were the main destinations for Africa's fluorspar exports by value. The Netherlands represented 25.7% of exports, the United States 16.4%, and Norway 14.3%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 56.4% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Africa in value, 2017-2020

Imports fluorspar to Africa

Imports in kind, K t

Africa's fluorspar import volume increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, import volume totaled 83.4 thousand tons, up by 1.1% compared to the previous year. The lowest import level was recorded in 2018 at 74.6 thousand tons, which saw the largest decline of 36.5%. In 2019, imports recorded the largest increase of 10.6%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 29.1%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 10.8%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Mexico, Italy, and Spain were the key partners for Africa's fluorspar imports by volume. Mexico accounted for 60.5% of imports, Italy for 15.1%, and Spain for 5.3%. Together, these three countries represented 80.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, fluorspar deliveries to Africa reached 27 577 thousand US dollars, down by 7.1% compared to the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 18 937 thousand US dollars, which experienced the largest decline of 15.0%. The highest value was in 2019 at 29 682 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 56.7%. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 23.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Mexico, Italy, and Canada led as the top suppliers of fluorspar to Africa by value. Mexico accounted for 66.8% of imports, Italy for 7.8%, and Canada for 5.9%. Collectively, these three countries took 80.4% of total imports in value terms.

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

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