Asia: Refined Lead Market 2025

Refined Lead Market Size in Asia

The Asian refined lead market dropped modestly to $X in 2022, with a decrease of -1.6% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Refined Lead Production in Asia

In value terms, refined lead production reduced modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 25%. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2021, and then dropped slightly in the following year.

Refined Lead Exports

Exports in Asia

In 2022, shipments abroad of refined lead (unwrought) increased by 4% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after three years of decline. Total exports indicated temperate growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +24.8% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 33%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, refined lead exports totaled $X in 2022. Total exports indicated a strong increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +42.6% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 39%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

South Korea was the key exporting country with an export of around X tons, which recorded 34% of total exports. India (X tons) took a 16% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by China (15%) and Kazakhstan (11%). Malaysia (X tons), the United Arab Emirates (X tons), Lebanon (X tons), Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons), Israel (X tons) and Myanmar (X tons) took a little share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to refined lead exports from South Korea stood at +7.0%. At the same time, Myanmar (+96.8%), China (+48.7%), Israel (+39.5%), Lebanon (+18.7%), India (+16.4%) and Taiwan (Chinese) (+8.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Myanmar emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Asia, with a CAGR of +96.8% from 2012-2022. Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Kazakhstan (-6.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of China (+14 p.p.), India (+11 p.p.), South Korea (+7.7 p.p.), Lebanon (+2.1 p.p.), Israel (+1.6 p.p.) and Myanmar (+1.6 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of the United Arab Emirates (-2 p.p.), Malaysia (-2.4 p.p.) and Kazakhstan (-20.4 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Korea ($X) remains the largest refined lead supplier in Asia, comprising 35% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by India ($X), with a 17% share of total exports. It was followed by China, with a 15% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in South Korea totaled +7.7%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: India (+17.2% per year) and China (+50.4% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Asia stood at $X per ton in 2022, waning by -1.5% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the export price increased by 17%. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, major exporting countries recorded the following prices: in Israel ($X per ton) and China ($X per ton), while Myanmar ($X per ton) and Kazakhstan ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+1.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Refined Lead Imports

Imports in Asia

In 2022, supplies from abroad of refined lead (unwrought) increased by 0.6% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year declining trend. In general, imports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by 11% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, refined lead imports reached $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by 35%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

The purchases of the three major importers of refined lead (unwrought), namely Turkey, Vietnam and South Korea, represented more than half of total import. Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons) ranks next in terms of the total imports with a 9.5% share, followed by India (7.9%), Thailand (6.3%) and Indonesia (6%). Japan (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Vietnam (with a CAGR of +5.8%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest refined lead importing markets in Asia were Turkey ($X), South Korea ($X) and Vietnam ($X), together comprising 51% of total imports.

In terms of the main importing countries, Vietnam, with a CAGR of +5.7%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, 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 Asia amounted to $X per ton, approximately equating the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the import price increased by 21%. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in Indonesia ($X per ton) and Thailand ($X per ton), while Taiwan (Chinese) ($X per ton) and Vietnam ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Indonesia (+2.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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