Market research

Kaolin and kaolinic clays market in Africa

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"Africa" region includes following countries:

Algeria

Libya

Morocco

Sudan

Western Sahara

Tunisia

Egypt

Cabo Verde

Benin

Gambia

Ghana

Guinea

Côte d'Ivoire

Liberia

Mali

Mauritania

Niger

Nigeria

Guinea-Bissau

Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

Senegal

Sierra Leone

Togo

Burkina Faso

British Indian Ocean Territory

Burundi

Comoros

Mayotte

Ethiopia

Eritrea

French Southern Territories

Djibouti

Kenya

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Reunion

Rwanda

Seychelles

Somalia

Zimbabwe

South Sudan

Uganda

Tanzania

Zambia

Angola

Cameroon

Central African Republic

Chad

Congo

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Equatorial Guinea

Gabon

Sao Tome and Principe

Botswana

Lesotho

Namibia

South Africa

Eswatini

Earlier Report Observations

The kaolin and kaolinic clays market in Africa saw its total volume contract from 990.4 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 773.4 thousand tonnes in 2022. This overall decline was primarily driven by the market's heavy dependence on the paper industry and a downturn in residential and commercial construction, which reduced demand for kaolin in building materials, paints, and sanitaryware.

Growth in the tile and sanitaryware manufacturing capacity initially provided some demand support, while the established presence of local producers like Kaolin Group helped sustain mining operations. Concurrently, rising consumer preference for natural ingredients spurred demand for high-grade kaolin in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products, creating a positive segment within the broader market.

After a sharp drop in 2020, market volume briefly recovered in 2021 to 888.4 thousand tonnes before falling again in 2022. The period's volatility reflected the market's sensitivity to industrial activity levels, without major new regulatory shifts or large-scale production changes to alter the fundamental demand structure.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2022
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2022
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Africa in kind, 2018-2022, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2022
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2022, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2022
  3. 5.2.3. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2022
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production kaolin and kaolinic clays in Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of kaolin and kaolinic clays, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of kaolin and kaolinic clays, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

In 2019, Africa's production of kaolin and kaolinic clays reached its lowest point at 415.7 thousand tons, representing a 22.3% decline from the previous year. Production then rebounded in 2020 to 490.7 thousand tons, marking an 18.0% increase from 2019. The peak production level was recorded in 2018 at 535.2 thousand tons.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	8.7%	(22.3%)	18.0%	(0.1%)

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2019, the value of kaolin and kaolinic clays production in Africa declined by 14.7%. However, production value increased significantly in 2018 by 38.0% and again in 2020 by 22.0%, reaching 70 635 thousand US dollars. Overall, between 2017 and 2020, production value grew by 43.7%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 12.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	38.0%	(14.7%)	22.0%	12.8%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports kaolin and kaolinic clays from Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Kaolin and kaolinic clays exports from Africa have declined for three consecutive years. In 2020, exports reached 84.6 thousand tons, representing a 9.2% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 35.2%, equating to an annualized decline of 13.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(9.0%)	(21.6%)	(9.2%)	(13.5%)

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, Africa's exports of kaolin and kaolinic clays were distributed across a broad range of partners. The United Kingdom accounted for 13.3% of exports, Belgium for 8.4%, and France for 6.7%. Together, these three countries represented just 28.5% of total export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

Africa's export value of kaolin and kaolinic clays declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 12 185 thousand US dollars, marking a 6.1% decrease from 2019. The peak export value was recorded in 2018 at 15 064 thousand US dollars, which represented a 15.5% increase from the previous year. However, exports fell by 13.9% in 2019. Overall, between 2017 and 2020, export value decreased by 6.6%, with an annualized decline of 2.2%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	15.5%	(13.9%)	(6.1%)	(2.2%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the market base for Africa's kaolin and kaolinic clays exports in value terms was quite diverse. Spain accounted for 12.8% of export value, the United Kingdom for 10.7%, and Belgium for 10.5%. Together, these three countries represented just 34.0% of total export flows, with the remaining 66.0% distributed among numerous other countries.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports kaolin and kaolinic clays to Africa

Imports in kind, K t

After increasing for two consecutive years, Africa's imports of kaolin and kaolinic clays declined in 2020 to 438.0 thousand tons, representing a sharp 30.5% decrease from 2019. The peak import volume was recorded in 2019 at 630.2 thousand tons, following a significant 41.8% increase in 2018. Overall, between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 8.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	41.8%	9.8%	(30.5%)	2.7%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain, the United Kingdom, and China remained the main suppliers of kaolin and kaolinic clays to Africa. Spain accounted for 31.5% of imports in kind, the United Kingdom for 20.5%, and China for 5.8%. Together, these three countries represented 57.8% of total import volume.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

Africa's import value of kaolin and kaolinic clays declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 79 033 thousand US dollars, representing a 10.6% decrease from 2019. The peak import value was recorded in 2018 at 95 891 thousand US dollars, following an 11.8% increase that year. Overall, between 2017 and 2020, import value decreased by 7.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	11.8%	(7.8%)	(10.6%)	(2.7%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom, Spain, and China consistently held leading positions in Africa's import structure by value. The United Kingdom accounted for 27.2% of import value, Spain for 12.7%, and China for 12.0%. Together, these three countries represented 51.9% of total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io