Eastern Asia: Bentonite Market 2024

Bentonite Market Size in Eastern Asia

In 2022, the East Asian bentonite market decreased by -10.2% to $X for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. The total consumption indicated a tangible expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +18.8% against 2019 indices. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X, and then declined in the following year.

Bentonite Production in Eastern Asia

In value terms, bentonite production reduced markedly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total production indicated prominent growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production increased by +26.1% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 48% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X, and then shrank sharply in the following year.

Bentonite Exports

Exports in Eastern Asia

In 2022, after ten years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas shipments of bentonite, when their volume decreased by -17.2% to X tons. Total exports indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.2% 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 +65.9% against 2012 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 49% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons, and then reduced notably in the following year.

In value terms, bentonite exports rose to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, saw a buoyant increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when exports increased by 164% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

China dominates exports structure, recording X tons, which was approx. 94% of total exports in 2022. The following exporters - South Korea (X tons) and Japan (X tons) - together made up 5.7% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to bentonite exports from China stood at +5.2%. At the same time, South Korea (+21.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, South Korea emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Eastern Asia, with a CAGR of +21.1% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Japan (-2.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. South Korea (+2.7 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Japan saw its share reduced by -2.4% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($X) remains the largest bentonite supplier in Eastern Asia, comprising 94% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Japan ($X), with a 3.2% share of total exports.

In China, bentonite exports increased at an average annual rate of +18.9% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Japan (-1.9% per year) and South Korea (+16.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Eastern Asia amounted to $X per ton, growing by 25% against the previous year. In general, the export price posted a resilient expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the export price increased by 77%. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the maximum in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Japan ($X per ton), while South Korea ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+13.1%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Bentonite Imports

Imports in Eastern Asia

In 2022, the amount of bentonite imported in Eastern Asia expanded sharply to X tons, with an increase of 15% compared with the previous year's figure. Total imports indicated measured 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, imports increased by +21.7% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when imports increased by 41%. The volume of import peaked in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

In value terms, bentonite imports expanded sharply to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated a strong increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +40.1% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by 41% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

The purchases of the three major importers of bentonite, namely China, Japan and South Korea, represented more than two-thirds of total import. It was distantly followed by Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons), generating a 7.4% share of total imports. Hong Kong SAR (X tons) held a little share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by China (with a CAGR of +11.7%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest bentonite importing markets in Eastern Asia were Japan ($X), China ($X) and South Korea ($X), with a combined 87% share of total imports.

Japan, with a CAGR of +7.9%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries 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 Eastern Asia amounted to $X per ton, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.8%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the import price increased by 13%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton, leveling off in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Hong Kong SAR ($X per ton), while South Korea ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Hong Kong SAR (+7.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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