Eastern Asia: Bismuth Market 2022

Bismuth Market Size in Eastern Asia

In 2021, the East Asian bismuth market decreased by -9.6% to $X, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. Over the period under review, consumption, however, showed a measured expansion. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Bismuth Production in Eastern Asia

In value terms, bismuth production expanded markedly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, showed a pronounced reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the production volume increased by 29%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Bismuth Exports

Exports in Eastern Asia

In 2021, overseas shipments of bismuth increased by 41% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. Total exports indicated a temperate expansion from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.8% 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 +52.5% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 42%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, bismuth exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, recorded a deep reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 71% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2021, China (X tons) represented the main exporter of bismuth, creating 81% of total exports. It was distantly followed by South Korea (X tons), creating a 13% share of total exports. Japan (X tons) and Hong Kong SAR (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Exports from China increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Japan (+19.3%), South Korea (+12.3%) and Hong Kong SAR (+1.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Japan emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Eastern Asia, with a CAGR of +19.3% from 2012-2021. South Korea (+6.2 p.p.) and Japan (+1.9 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while China saw its share reduced by -8.4% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($X) remains the largest bismuth supplier in Eastern Asia, comprising 75% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by South Korea ($X), with a 12% share of total exports. It was followed by Japan, with an 8.6% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in China stood at -7.4%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: South Korea (-0.4% per year) and Japan (+15.4% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Eastern Asia stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 19% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, continues to indicate a abrupt decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the export price increased by 20% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2021, the the export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Japan ($X per ton), while South Korea ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Japan (-3.3%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Bismuth Imports

Imports in Eastern Asia

In 2021, imports of bismuth in Eastern Asia fell modestly to X tons, dropping by -2.6% on the year before. Overall, imports, however, recorded prominent growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 43% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2020, and then dropped in the following year.

In value terms, bismuth imports amounted to $X in 2021. In general, imports saw a perceptible slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 40% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Hong Kong SAR represented the main importer of bismuth in Eastern Asia, with the volume of imports reaching X tons, which was near 50% of total imports in 2021. China (X tons) took an 18% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Japan (15%), South Korea (9%) and Taiwan (Chinese) (7.8%).

Hong Kong SAR was also the fastest-growing in terms of the bismuth imports, with a CAGR of +8.0% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Taiwan (Chinese) (+7.5%), China (+5.7%), South Korea (+5.0%) and Japan (+3.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Hong Kong SAR increased by +6.1 percentage points. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest bismuth importing markets in Eastern Asia were Hong Kong SAR ($X), South Korea ($X) and China ($X), together accounting for 81% of total imports.

Among the main importing countries, South Korea, with a CAGR of +3.2%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced a decline in the imports figures.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Eastern Asia stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 9.9% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, recorded a deep reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 an increase of 24%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2021, the import prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Korea (-1.7%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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