China: Kaolin Market 2024

Kaolin Market Size in China

In 2021, after three years of growth, there was significant decline in the Chinese kaolin market, when its value decreased by -6.1% to $X. Overall, consumption, however, showed strong growth. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2020, and then contracted in the following year.

Kaolin Production in China

In value terms, kaolin production contracted to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, saw a resilient increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the production volume increased by 109%. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2020, and then dropped in the following year.

Kaolin Exports

Exports from China

In 2021, overseas shipments of kaolin and kaolinic clays increased by 12% to X tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year declining trend. In general, exports, however, showed a pronounced descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when exports increased by 14% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, kaolin exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Overall, total exports indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.1% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +65.8% against 2016 indices. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons) was the main destination for kaolin exports from China, with a 46% share of total exports. Moreover, kaolin exports to Taiwan (Chinese) exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, South Korea (X tons), sevenfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Vietnam (X tons), with a 6.2% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Taiwan (Chinese) was relatively modest. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: South Korea (-0.1% per year) and Vietnam (-5.0% per year).

In value terms, Vietnam ($X), Taiwan (Chinese) ($X) and South Korea ($X) constituted the largest markets for kaolin exported from China worldwide, together accounting for 32% of total exports. These countries were followed by Thailand, Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Japan, the Philippines, Ghana, Pakistan and Hong Kong SAR, which together accounted for a further 44%.

In terms of the main countries of destination, Ghana, with a CAGR of +75.7%, 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 kaolin export price amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 16% against the previous year. Overall, export price indicated a buoyant expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +7.8% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, kaolin export price increased by +75.3% against 2015 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the average export price increased by 24% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the maximum in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Indonesia ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Hong Kong SAR ($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 Vietnam (+20.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Kaolin Imports

Imports into China

After two years of decline, supplies from abroad of kaolin and kaolinic clays increased by 30% to X tons in 2021. Overall, total imports indicated resilient growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +7.2% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, kaolin imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when imports increased by 29%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, the United States (X tons) constituted the largest kaolin supplier to China, with a 51% share of total imports. Moreover, kaolin imports from the United States exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Malaysia (X tons), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Indonesia (X tons), with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from the United States stood at +4.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Malaysia (+80.4% per year) and Indonesia (+141.8% per year).

In value terms, the United States ($X) constituted the largest supplier of kaolin and kaolinic clays to China, comprising 64% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the UK ($X), with a 9% share of total imports. It was followed by Brazil, with an 8.6% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from the United States stood at +4.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the UK (+17.4% per year) and Brazil (-8.5% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average kaolin import price amounted to $X per ton, with a decrease of -9.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price recorded a perceptible decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 4.6%. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the price for Malaysia ($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 UK (+0.6%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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