Australia: Silicates Market 2024

Silicates Market Size in Australia

In 2021, the Australian silicates market increased by 5.4% to $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Overall, the total consumption indicated a tangible increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.4% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption decreased by -26.4% against 2018 indices. Silicates consumption peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Silicates Production in Australia

In value terms, silicates production stood at $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, the total production indicated a perceptible expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production decreased by -27.0% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 43% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Silicates Exports

Exports from Australia

In 2021, shipments abroad of silicates, commercial alkali metal silicates was finally on the rise to reach X tons after three years of decline. In general, exports, however, showed a abrupt downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, silicates exports soared to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, saw a abrupt decline. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

New Zealand (X tons) was the main destination for silicates exports from Australia, accounting for a 70% share of total exports. Moreover, silicates exports to New Zealand exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Chile (X tons), more than tenfold. The Philippines (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 4.7% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to New Zealand stood at -19.9%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Chile (+20.7% per year) and the Philippines (+38.6% per year).

In value terms, New Zealand ($X), Chile ($X) and the Philippines ($X) constituted the largest markets for silicates exported from Australia worldwide, with a combined 55% share of total exports.

Among the main countries of destination, the Philippines, with a CAGR of +45.1%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average silicates export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, increasing by 51% against the previous year. Overall, the export price enjoyed a strong expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 an increase of 88%. The export price peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Chile ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to New Zealand ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Chile (+10.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Silicates Imports

Imports into Australia

In 2021, supplies from abroad of silicates, commercial alkali metal silicates increased by 51% to X tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Over the period under review, imports, however, saw a mild decrease. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, silicates imports soared to $X in 2021. Overall, total imports indicated a slight expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Imports peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, China (X tons) constituted the largest silicates supplier to Australia, with a 54% share of total imports. Moreover, silicates imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, the Netherlands (X tons), threefold. Malaysia (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from China was relatively modest. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the Netherlands (+0.5% per year) and Malaysia (+128.6% per year).

In value terms, the largest silicates suppliers to Australia were China ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and the United States ($X), together comprising 61% of total imports. These countries were followed by Malaysia, France, Taiwan (Chinese), India and New Zealand, which together accounted for a further 27%.

Malaysia, with a CAGR of +104.7%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average silicates import price amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 5.2% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.7%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the average import price increased by 15%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2018 to 2021, the average import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the price for China ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by France (+13.2%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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