Kaolin and kaolinic clays market in South Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The South African kaolin market displayed considerable volatility in volume between 2018 and 2022. Market size grew to 38 425 t in 2019 before contracting to 30 047 t in 2020, then surging to a peak of 44 600 t in 2021. This was followed by a sharp decline to 22 055 t in 2022, driven primarily by a steep drop in domestic production to 10 553 t that year.

Post-2022, market volume data is unavailable, but trade flows revealed notable shifts. Imports remained robust, staying above 15 000 t through 2024 and 2025. Exports, however, spiked dramatically to 10 783 t in 2024 before collapsing to just 875 t in 2025, suggesting a significant realignment in trade patterns or supply chain adjustments.

Recent industry developments point to evolving regional dynamics. In 2025, Firering Strategic Minerals scaled up daily production to 600-800 tonnes at its quicklime project in Zambia, while significant potential was identified for developing local kaolin processing and value addition in the Makhanda deposits of the Eastern Cape. These factors indicate growing regional industrial activity that could influence future supply and demand structures for kaolin in South Africa.

Production kaolin and kaolinic clays in South Africa

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of kaolin and kaolinic clays, 2018-2021

World map of production of kaolin and kaolinic clays, 2018-2021

South Africa produced 29 168 tonnes of kaolin and kaolinic clays in 2021, marking a dramatic 41.3% increase compared to 2020. Production reached its lowest point in 2020 at 20 639 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 25.8%. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 22.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 7.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports kaolin and kaolinic clays from South Africa

Exports in kind, t

In 2021, South Africa exported 1 455 tonnes of kaolin and kaolinic clays, showing a sharp 56.0% increase from the previous year. Exports peaked in 2019 at 1 670 tonnes and fell to their lowest level in 2020 at 933 tonnes, with the largest decline of 44.1% occurring in 2020. From 2018 to 2021, exports increased by 10.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, t

Between 2018 and 2021, Zambia, Ghana, and Mozambique formed the main cluster of markets for South Africa's kaolin and kaolinic clays exports in kind. Zambia accounted for 28.6% of exports, Ghana for 20.8%, and Mozambique for 17.2%, together representing 66.7% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

South Africa's kaolin and kaolinic clays exports in value terms totaled 920 thousand US dollars in 2021, showing a sharp 127.3% year-over-year rise. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 405 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 36.1%. From the trough in 2020 to the peak in 2021, exports increased by 2.3 times, reflecting noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Zimbabwe, Ghana, and Zambia formed the core group of markets for South Africa's kaolin and kaolinic clays exports in value terms. Zimbabwe accounted for 21.1% of exports, Ghana for 21.0%, and Zambia for 17.1%, together representing 59.2% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2021

Imports kaolin and kaolinic clays to South Africa

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, kaolin and kaolinic clays imports into South Africa increased in 2021, totaling 16 887 tonnes and showing a steep 63.3% year-over-year uptick. Imports reached their lowest point in 2020 at 10 341 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 15.7%. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 28.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 8.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, t

Throughout 2018 to 2021, the United States, China, and India formed the key group of partners for South Africa's kaolin and kaolinic clays imports in kind. The United States accounted for 44.2% of imports, China for 17.2%, and India for 15.5%, jointly representing 76.9% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year drop, kaolin and kaolinic clays imports into South Africa increased in 2021, with imports totaling approximately 6 309 thousand US dollars and showing a sharp 52.6% year-over-year gain. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 4 135 thousand US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 11.6%. From 2018 to 2021, imports increased by 25.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In the period from 2018 to 2021, the United States, China, and the United Kingdom formed the main group of destinations for South Africa's kaolin and kaolinic clays imports in value terms. The United States accounted for 53.7% of imports, China for 17.0%, and the United Kingdom for 9.1%, with a combined share of 79.9% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2021