ASEAN: Potassium Chloride (Mop) Market 2025

Potassium Chloride (Mop) Market Size in ASEAN

In 2022, the ASEAN potassium chloride (MOP) market increased by 1.9% to $X, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The level of consumption peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Potassium Chloride (Mop) Production in ASEAN

In value terms, potassium chloride (MOP) production shrank slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, recorded a pronounced curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the production volume increased by 16%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Potassium Chloride (Mop) Exports

Exports in ASEAN

In 2022, approx. X tons of potassium chloride (MOP) were exported in ASEAN; increasing by 12% on the previous year. In general, exports continue to indicate a significant increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 258% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, potassium chloride (MOP) exports surged to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports saw a buoyant expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 174% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Lao People's Democratic Republic dominates exports structure, accounting for X tons, which was near 82% of total exports in 2022. Vietnam (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with an 8.8% share, followed by Malaysia (6.3%). Thailand (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Lao People's Democratic Republic was also the fastest-growing in terms of the potassium chloride (MOP) exports, with a CAGR of +59.3% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Vietnam (+16.9%), Thailand (+7.7%) and Malaysia (+1.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. While the share of Lao People's Democratic Republic (+76 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of Vietnam (-5.5 p.p.), Thailand (-7.9 p.p.) and Malaysia (-35 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Lao People's Democratic Republic ($X) remains the largest potassium chloride (MOP) supplier in ASEAN, comprising 73% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Vietnam ($X), with a 17% share of total exports. It was followed by Malaysia, with a 5% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Lao People's Democratic Republic totaled +57.8%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Vietnam (+21.8% per year) and Malaysia (-4.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in ASEAN stood at $X per ton in 2022, with an increase of 44% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, saw a pronounced contraction. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Vietnam ($X per ton), while Malaysia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Vietnam (+4.2%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Potassium Chloride (Mop) Imports

Imports in ASEAN

In 2022, supplies from abroad of potassium chloride (MOP) decreased by -9.1% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when imports increased by 34%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons, and then declined in the following year.

In value terms, potassium chloride (MOP) imports expanded sharply to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated mild growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +81.4% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 60% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

Malaysia was the key importing country with an import of around X tons, which resulted at 46% of total imports. Thailand (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Vietnam (X tons) and Indonesia (X tons). All these countries together held near 49% share of total imports. The Philippines (X tons) held a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to potassium chloride (MOP) imports into Malaysia stood at +11.8%. At the same time, Thailand (+12.2%), the Philippines (+7.2%) and Vietnam (+2.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Thailand emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in ASEAN, with a CAGR of +12.2% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Indonesia (-8.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Malaysia (+24 p.p.) and Thailand (+12 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Indonesia saw its share reduced by -35.3% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest potassium chloride (MOP) importing markets in ASEAN were Malaysia ($X), Vietnam ($X) and Thailand ($X), together accounting for 77% of total imports.

Thailand, with a CAGR of +7.5%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in ASEAN amounted to $X per ton, surging by 25% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, saw a noticeable reduction. Over the period under review, import prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Vietnam ($X per ton), while Malaysia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Vietnam (+2.2%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform