Market research

Uranium ores and concentrates market in South Africa

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

South Africa's uranium ore production declined from 196 t in 2018 to 124 t in 2020. This contraction was driven by persistently low global uranium prices, which rendered several domestic mining projects economically unviable despite the country's substantial reserves. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further disrupted mining operations and global supply chains, deepening the downturn. Throughout this period, the state-owned Nuclear Energy Corporation of South Africa (NECSA) continued its role in uranium processing and research under the stable regulatory framework of the Nuclear Energy Act.

Production rebounded to 153 t in 2021 and reached 188 t in 2022. The recovery was fueled by a post-lockdown surge in global demand and a sustained uranium price rally beginning in mid-2021. Prices spiked further in 2022 due to energy market shocks from the Russia-Ukraine war and growing recognition of nuclear power's role in decarbonization. This price environment attracted new competitors, such as physically-backed uranium investment funds, which began absorbing physical supply. Concurrently, amendments to the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Regulations in 2022 altered mining rights and permit processes, influencing operational planning for uranium producers.

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, 2018-2025
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2025
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2022
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in South Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in kind, 2018-2022, t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in value, 2018-2022, $ US
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, kg
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2025, kg
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, kg
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  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 South Africa, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, kg
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2025, kg
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, kg
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  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 South Africa, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, kg
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2025, kg
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, kg
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  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 South Africa, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, kg
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2025, kg
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, kg
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  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 South Africa, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, kg
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, kg
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2025
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 uranium ores and concentrates in South Africa

In kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, South Africa ranked 12th globally in the production of uranium ores and concentrates.

Top producers of uranium ores and concentrates, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of uranium ores and concentrates, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Following a two-year decline, South Africa's production of uranium ores and concentrates rebounded. In 2021, the country produced 153.0 tonnes, marking a 23.4% increase from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production fell by 21.9%, averaging an annual decrease of 7.9%. The lowest output was recorded in 2020 at 124.0 tonnes, with the sharpest drop of 23.9% occurring that same year.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(16.8%)	(23.9%)	23.4%	(7.9%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports uranium ores and concentrates from South Africa

Exports in kind, kg

Export volumes showed significant fluctuations during this period. The lowest point was in 2018, while exports peaked in 2019, with a 17-fold difference between these years. In 2021, South Africa exported 69 kg of uranium ores and concentrates, representing a dramatic surge of 1,621.2% compared to 2020.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, kg

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	1 621.2%	n/a	n/a	43.5%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2018 and 2021, Namibia was the primary buyer of uranium ores and concentrates from South Africa, accounting for 82.4% of total exports by volume. The remaining share was distributed among a diverse group of other countries.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, $ US

Export values followed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. The minimum was recorded in 2019, while the maximum occurred in 2018, with a 2.8-fold variation between these years. In 2021, South Africa's cross-border shipments of uranium ores and concentrates were valued at 4,496 US dollars, reflecting a sharp decline of 63.7% from 2020.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(63.7%)	n/a	n/a	(12.5%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, the main markets for South Africa's exports by value were Namibia (31.3% of total export value), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (28.4%), and Mozambique (15.4%). Together, these three countries accounted for 75.1% of total export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports uranium ores and concentrates to South Africa

Imports in kind, kg

In 2021, South Africa imported 4,190 kg of uranium ores and concentrates, a substantial increase of 9,619.0% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 19,852.4%, averaging an annual rise of 484.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, kg

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	9 619.0%	n/a	n/a	484.3%

Source: SHEV.io

During 2018-2021, Namibia and Mauritania were the dominant sources for South Africa's imports of uranium ores and concentrates by volume, jointly making up 93.3% of total imports. The rest was sourced from smaller markets.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, $ US

In 2021, South Africa's cross-border shipments of uranium ores and concentrates totaled 926 US dollars, equivalent to a dramatic increase of 1,358.3% from 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, import values rose by 8,081.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 334.1%.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	1 358.3%	n/a	n/a	334.1%

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2018-2021, Namibia remained the leading source for South Africa's imports by value, capturing 76.2% of total import flows. The remaining share was spread across various smaller markets.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io