Eastern Asia: Lime Market 2024

Lime Market Size in Eastern Asia

The East Asian lime market was estimated at $X in 2021, approximately mirroring the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Lime Production in Eastern Asia

In value terms, lime production reduced modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the production volume increased by 14%. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Lime Exports

Exports in Eastern Asia

In 2021, approx. X tons of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime were exported in Eastern Asia; which is down by -26.9% on the year before. Over the period under review, exports showed a perceptible curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 19%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, lime exports declined modestly to $X in 2021. Total exports indicated a notable expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% 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 decreased by -25.4% against 2017 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 40%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

China dominates exports structure, reaching X tons, which was approx. 92% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Japan (X tons), constituting a 7.2% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to lime exports from China stood at -4.4%. At the same time, Japan (+4.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Japan emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Eastern Asia, with a CAGR of +4.9% from 2012-2021. While the share of Japan (+3.9 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of China (-4.2 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, China ($X) remains the largest lime supplier in Eastern Asia, comprising 74% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Japan ($X), with a 25% share of total exports.

In China, lime exports increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% over the period from 2012-2021.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Eastern Asia stood at $X per ton in 2021, rising by 36% against the previous year. Export price indicated a strong increase from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +6.1% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, lime export price increased by +58.5% against 2016 indices. As a result, the export price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

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 China totaled $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+7.0%).

Lime Imports

Imports in Eastern Asia

In 2021, lime imports in Eastern Asia reached X tons, picking up by 8% compared with the previous year. In general, imports, however, showed a pronounced decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when imports increased by 15% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, lime imports reached $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of import peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Taiwan (Chinese) represented the major importer of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime in Eastern Asia, with the volume of imports amounting to X tons, which was near 72% of total imports in 2021. South Korea (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 15% share, followed by Hong Kong SAR (7.6%). China (X tons) held a relatively small share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to lime imports into Taiwan (Chinese) stood at -3.2%. Hong Kong SAR (-2.1%), China (-3.5%) and South Korea (-6.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Taiwan (Chinese) (+3.5 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of South Korea (-3.6 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Taiwan (Chinese) ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime in Eastern Asia, comprising 66% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by South Korea ($X), with an 18% share of total imports. It was followed by China, with an 8.5% share.

In Taiwan (Chinese), lime imports expanded at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: South Korea (-3.0% per year) and China (+4.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Eastern Asia stood at $X per ton in 2021, increasing by 4.3% against the previous year. Over the last nine years, it increased at an average annual rate of +4.2%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when the import price increased by 47% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2021, the import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while Hong Kong SAR ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+7.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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