Belgium: Carbonate Market 2025

Carbonate Market Size in Belgium

The Belgian carbonate market declined notably to $X in 2021, which is down by -26.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption recorded a pronounced reduction. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2017 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Carbonate Production in Belgium

In value terms, carbonate production expanded slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production faced a deep setback. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Carbonate Exports

Exports from Belgium

In 2021, approx. X tons of carbonates and peroxocarbonates were exported from Belgium; standing approx. at the year before. In general, exports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when exports increased by 293% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, carbonate exports rose markedly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate modest growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 58% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Germany (X tons) was the main destination for carbonate exports from Belgium, with a 43% share of total exports. Moreover, carbonate exports to Germany exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, the Netherlands (X tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Finland (X tons), with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to Germany was relatively modest. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the Netherlands (+13.2% per year) and Finland (+35.1% per year).

In value terms, Germany ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and Finland ($X) constituted the largest markets for carbonate exported from Belgium worldwide, with a combined 60% share of total exports. France, Sweden, Italy, Luxembourg, the UK and Singapore lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 24%.

In terms of the main countries of destination, Singapore, with a CAGR of +65.3%, recorded 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

In 2021, the average carbonate export price amounted to $X per ton, rising by 7.8% against the previous year. In general, the export price saw mild growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the average export price increased by 94%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the UK ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Singapore ($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 the UK (+17.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Carbonate Imports

Imports into Belgium

In 2021, purchases abroad of carbonates and peroxocarbonates increased by 42% to X tons, rising for the third year in a row after two years of decline. Overall, total imports indicated a buoyant increase from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.9% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +85.3% against 2018 indices. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, carbonate imports expanded markedly to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when imports increased by 29% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Germany (X tons), France (X tons) and Turkey (X tons) were the main suppliers of carbonate imports to Belgium, together comprising 84% of total imports. These countries were followed by Luxembourg, Slovenia, the Netherlands, the UK, Greece and the United States, which together accounted for a further 12%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Slovenia (with a CAGR of +322.0%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest carbonate suppliers to Belgium were Turkey ($X), France ($X) and Germany ($X), with a combined 58% share of total imports. These countries were followed by the Netherlands, the UK, Luxembourg, Greece, Slovenia and the United States, which together accounted for a further 19%.

Among the main suppliers, Slovenia, with a CAGR of +249.6%, recorded 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

The average carbonate import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, falling by -25.4% against the previous year. Overall, the import price recorded a perceptible shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the average import price increased by 37%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2021, the average import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per ton), while the price for Slovenia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+20.4%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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