Market research

Magnesite market in SADC

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"SADC" region includes following countries:

Angola

Botswana

Comoros

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Eswatini

Lesotho

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Namibia

Seychelles

South Africa

Tanzania

Zambia

Zimbabwe

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for natural magnesium carbonate (magnesite) in SADC showed high volatility from 2018 to 2022. It surged by over 65% to 20 050 т in 2019, but then entered a sustained contraction, falling to 7 783 т by 2022. This three-year decline coincided with a parallel drop in domestic production, which was nearly halved from 9 000 т to 4 900 т over the period.

Recent industry developments highlight shifting conditions. By 2024, foreign investment in Zambia's mining transportation and energy infrastructure aimed to improve logistics and production capacity for minerals, which could affect magnesite supply chains. Furthermore, the global energy transition has increased the strategic focus on minerals vital for decarbonization, potentially influencing future demand and investment in the SADC magnesite sector.

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 SADC
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in SADC in kind, 2018-2022, t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2022
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2022, 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, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Angola in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Angola by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Angola in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Angola by countries, 2018-2024, K $ 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/kg
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Angola, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Angola by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Angola in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Angola by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Angola in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Angola by countries, 2018-2024, K $ 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/kg
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Angola, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Angola by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Angola in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Angola by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Angola in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Angola by countries, 2018-2024, K $ 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/kg
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Angola, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Angola by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Angola in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Angola by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Angola in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Angola by countries, 2018-2024, K $ 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/kg
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Angola, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Angola by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ 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 magnesite in SADC

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of magnesite, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of magnesite, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Magnesite production in SADC has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 6,000 tons of magnesite, which represents a 14.3% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 50%, with an average annual decline rate of 20.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in SADC in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(25.0%)	(22.2%)	(14.3%)	(20.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports magnesite from SADC

Exports in kind, t

The market showed significant fluctuations during this period. The highest volume was recorded in 2017, while the lowest occurred in 2019, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 17 times. In 2020, magnesite exports from SADC reached 1,567 tons, marking a strong year-over-year increase of 24.9%. The minimum value was 1,254 tons in 2019. The largest decline was in 2018, at 79.4%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(79.4%)	(71.7%)	24.9%	(58.3%)

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

Market behavior was characterized by volatility during these years. Exports varied significantly, from a high in 2017 to a low in 2019, with a 43-fold difference. In 2020, SADC exported magnesite worth 1,167 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp uptick of 74.1% compared to 2019. The minimum value was 670 thousand US dollars in 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, at 93.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(93.3%)	(65.2%)	74.1%	(65.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Congo remained the primary destination for exports in value terms, accounting for 0.8% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports magnesite to SADC

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Volumes peaked in 2017 and dropped to their lowest point in 2018, with a 12.9-fold shift. In 2020, magnesite deliveries to SADC amounted to 9,340 tons, indicating a decrease of 34.7% compared to 2019. The minimum value was 7,558 tons in 2018. The largest decline was in 2018, at 92.3%, while the largest increase was in 2019, at 89.2%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(92.3%)	89.2%	(34.7%)	(54.3%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, China, the United States, and Portugal consistently remained the main sources for imports in kind, accounting for 41.1%, 6.7%, and 5.6% of imports, respectively. Together, they represented 53.4% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Imports varied from a high in 2017 to a low in 2020, with a 5.5-fold difference. In 2020, magnesite volumes in SADC amounted to 3,262 thousand US dollars, indicating a sharp year-over-year drop of 52.9%. The largest decline was in 2018, at 71.8%, while the largest increase was in 2019, at 37.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(71.8%)	37.5%	(52.9%)	(43.3%)

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017 to 2020, China, the United States, and Australia formed the key group of partners for magnesite imports to SADC in value terms, accounting for 16.7%, 15.8%, and 5.1% of imports, respectively. Jointly, they represented 37.6% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io