Eastern Europe: Kaolin Market 2024

Kaolin Market Size in Eastern Europe

The East European kaolin market amounted to $X in 2021, increasing by 9.5% against the previous year. The total consumption indicated measured growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption increased by +60.0% against 2015 indices. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Kaolin Production in Eastern Europe

In value terms, kaolin production amounted to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 26% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Kaolin Exports

Exports in Eastern Europe

In 2021, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in overseas shipments of kaolin and kaolinic clays, when their volume increased by 32% to X tons. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.7% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, kaolin exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Ukraine was the largest exporter of kaolin and kaolinic clays in Eastern Europe, with the volume of exports accounting for X tons, which was near 49% of total exports in 2021. The Czech Republic (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 24% share, followed by Romania (12%) and Bulgaria (11%). Slovakia (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Exports from Ukraine increased at an average annual rate of +5.2% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Romania (+173.8%), Slovakia (+27.3%) and Bulgaria (+2.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Romania emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Eastern Europe, with a CAGR of +173.8% from 2012-2021. The Czech Republic experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Romania, Ukraine and Slovakia increased by +12, +2 and +1.6 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, the Czech Republic ($X), Ukraine ($X) and Bulgaria ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, together comprising 90% of total exports. These countries were followed by Romania and Slovakia, which together accounted for a further 6.5%.

Among the main exporting countries, Romania, with a CAGR of +142.3%, saw 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

The export price in Eastern Europe stood at $X per ton in 2021, declining by -3.6% against the previous year. In general, the export price recorded a mild setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the export price increased by 6.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was the Czech Republic ($X per ton), while Slovakia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Bulgaria (+3.2%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Kaolin Imports

Imports in Eastern Europe

In 2021, the amount of kaolin and kaolinic clays imported in Eastern Europe rose rapidly to X tons, surging by 8.5% against 2020. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when imports increased by 12% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, kaolin imports expanded remarkably to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Russia was the main importing country with an import of around X tons, which reached 44% of total imports. Poland (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by Slovakia (X tons), Belarus (X tons) and Romania (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 42% share of total imports. The following importers - Bulgaria (X tons) and the Czech Republic (X tons) - each accounted for an 8.3% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to kaolin imports into Russia stood at +3.2%. At the same time, the Czech Republic (+7.6%), Slovakia (+6.8%), Bulgaria (+3.6%), Belarus (+2.6%) and Poland (+1.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, the Czech Republic emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Eastern Europe, with a CAGR of +7.6% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Romania (-2.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Slovakia (+3.5 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Poland (-1.8 p.p.) and Romania (-3.2 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest kaolin importing markets in Eastern Europe were Russia ($X), Poland ($X) and Slovakia ($X), together comprising 64% of total imports. These countries were followed by the Czech Republic, Romania, Bulgaria and Belarus, which together accounted for a further 22%.

In terms of the main importing countries, the Czech Republic, with a CAGR of +9.3%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Eastern Europe stood at $X per ton in 2021, rising by 2.5% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the import price increased by 9.1% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland (+2.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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