Eastern Europe: Bentonite Market 2024

Bentonite Market Size in Eastern Europe

The East European bentonite market fell to $X in 2022, reducing by -13.9% against the previous year. Overall, consumption showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2021, and then dropped in the following year.

Bentonite Production in Eastern Europe

In value terms, bentonite production contracted to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the production volume increased by 22%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2021, and then contracted in the following year.

Bentonite Exports

Exports in Eastern Europe

In 2022, bentonite exports in Eastern Europe rose notably to X tons, surging by 6.3% compared with 2021 figures. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 27%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

In value terms, bentonite exports rose significantly to $X in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 22%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

In 2022, the Czech Republic (X tons) and Slovakia (X tons) were the largest exporters of bentonite in Eastern Europe, together comprising 70% of total exports. Bulgaria (X tons) ranks next in terms of the total exports with an 8.8% share, followed by Poland (8.6%) and Russia (5.6%). The following exporters - Romania (X tons) and Ukraine (X tons) - together made up 5.5% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Romania (with a CAGR of +66.3%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the Czech Republic ($X) remains the largest bentonite supplier in Eastern Europe, comprising 45% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Poland ($X), with a 21% share of total exports. It was followed by Slovakia, with a 14% share.

In the Czech Republic, bentonite exports expanded at an average annual rate of +5.5% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Poland (+7.4% per year) and Slovakia (-1.4% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Eastern Europe amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 6.7% against the previous year. Overall, the export price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the export price increased by 13%. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the maximum in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

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 Poland ($X per ton), while Ukraine ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Czech Republic (+3.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Bentonite Imports

Imports in Eastern Europe

In 2022, supplies from abroad of bentonite decreased by -22.9% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after four years of growth. Total imports indicated a modest expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports decreased by -26.8% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by 32% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, bentonite imports declined to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated notable growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% 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 +49.4% against 2015 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 27%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at $X in 2021, and then reduced in the following year.

Imports by Country

Poland was the key importing country with an import of around X tons, which reached 61% of total imports. It was distantly followed by the Czech Republic (X tons) and Hungary (X tons), together mixing up an 18% share of total imports. Russia (X tons), Belarus (X tons), Romania (X tons), Lithuania (X tons) and Ukraine (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into Poland increased at an average annual rate of +5.0% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Hungary (+10.4%), Romania (+7.7%), the Czech Republic (+7.0%), Ukraine (+6.1%) and Lithuania (+5.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Hungary emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Eastern Europe, with a CAGR of +10.4% from 2012-2022. Belarus experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Russia (-18.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Poland (+19 p.p.), the Czech Republic (+5.7 p.p.), Hungary (+2.9 p.p.) and Romania (+1.6 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of Russia (-33.1 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Poland ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported bentonite in Eastern Europe, comprising 41% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by the Czech Republic ($X), with an 18% share of total imports. It was followed by Hungary, with an 8.2% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Poland stood at +5.6%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the Czech Republic (+6.7% per year) and Hungary (+10.7% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Eastern Europe stood at $X per ton in 2022, surging by 13% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.5%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 an increase of 26%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Ukraine ($X per ton), while Poland ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Lithuania (+2.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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