Belgium: Alkali Metals Market 2024

Alkali Metals Market Size in Belgium

The Belgian alkali metals market reduced to $X in 2021, waning by -10.8% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). In general, consumption showed a pronounced decrease. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Alkali Metals Exports

Exports from Belgium

In 2021, shipments abroad of alkali or alkaline-earth metals, rare-earth metals, scandium and yttrium, mercury increased by 25% to X tons, rising for the third consecutive year after four years of decline. Overall, exports, however, showed a perceptible descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 308%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, alkali metals exports fell to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, faced a abrupt shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when exports increased by 109% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

France (X tons) was the main destination for alkali metals exports from Belgium, with a 95% share of total exports. It was followed by Germany (X tons), with a 2.9% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to France stood at +4.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Germany (-29.6% per year) and the Netherlands (+8.7% per year).

In value terms, France ($X) emerged as the key foreign market for alkali or alkaline-earth metals, rare-earth metals, scandium and yttrium, mercury exports from Belgium, comprising 65% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Germany ($X), with a 14% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to France totaled -8.9%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Germany (-23.7% per year) and the Netherlands (+5.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average alkali metals export price amounted to $X per ton, dropping by -30.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price continues to indicate a abrupt downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the average export price increased by 61%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2018 to 2021, the average export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to France ($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 Germany (+8.4%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Alkali Metals Imports

Imports into Belgium

In 2021, the amount of alkali or alkaline-earth metals, rare-earth metals, scandium and yttrium, mercury imported into Belgium contracted to X tons, falling by -13.4% on the year before. In general, imports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 156%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, alkali metals imports rose slightly to $X in 2021. Overall, imports saw a abrupt curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by 200% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

France (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons) and Germany (X tons) were the main suppliers of alkali metals imports to Belgium, with a combined 84% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by France (with a CAGR of +18.3%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, France ($X) constituted the largest supplier of alkali or alkaline-earth metals, rare-earth metals, scandium and yttrium, mercury to Belgium, comprising 59% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by China ($X), with an 11% share of total imports. It was followed by the Netherlands, with a 9.1% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value from France amounted to +9.0%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: China (-19.9% per year) and the Netherlands (+0.5% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average alkali metals import price amounted to $X per ton, surging by 21% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, showed a abrupt slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the average import price increased by 86%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2018 to 2021, the average import prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Sweden (+22.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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