Eastern Europe: Lead Market 2024

Lead Market Size in Eastern Europe

The East European lead market shrank slightly to $X in 2022, declining by -2.3% against the previous year. The total consumption indicated perceptible growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% 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 +12.0% against 2020 indices. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Lead Production in Eastern Europe

In value terms, lead production expanded significantly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 32% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Lead Exports

Exports in Eastern Europe

In 2022, shipments abroad of lead decreased by -7.2% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 17% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2021, and then declined in the following year.

In value terms, lead exports dropped 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 in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 33% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Russia (X tons), Bulgaria (X tons) and Poland (X tons) represented the major exporter of lead in Eastern Europe, mixing up 82% of total export. It was distantly followed by the Czech Republic (X tons), making up an 8.5% share of total exports. The following exporters - Romania (X tons) and Estonia (X tons) - together made up 7.2% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exporting countries, was attained by Bulgaria (with a CAGR of +4.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest lead supplying countries in Eastern Europe were Bulgaria ($X), Poland ($X) and Russia ($X), with a combined 81% share of total exports.

Poland, with a CAGR of +5.6%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Eastern Europe amounted to $X per ton, remaining stable against the previous year. In general, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 26% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, major exporting countries recorded the following prices: in Poland ($X per ton) and Romania ($X per ton), while Russia ($X per ton) and Estonia ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland (+2.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Lead Imports

Imports in Eastern Europe

In 2022, purchases abroad of lead decreased by -10.6% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Total imports indicated a remarkable increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when imports increased by 18%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2021, and then fell in the following year.

In value terms, lead imports shrank to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated a resilient expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.8% 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 +26.4% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 39% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X, and then declined in the following year.

Imports by Country

The Czech Republic was the major importer of lead in Eastern Europe, with the volume of imports reaching X tons, which was approx. 56% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Poland (X tons), Bulgaria (X tons) and Romania (X tons), together creating a 36% share of total imports. The following importers - Hungary (X tons) and Russia (X tons) - together made up 5.2% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to lead imports into the Czech Republic stood at +10.2%. At the same time, Russia (+20.6%), Poland (+4.9%) and Romania (+3.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Russia emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Eastern Europe, with a CAGR of +20.6% from 2012-2022. Bulgaria experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Hungary (-2.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of the Czech Republic (+21 p.p.) and Russia (+1.6 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of Hungary (-3.2 p.p.) and Bulgaria (-4.4 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the Czech Republic ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported lead in Eastern Europe, comprising 54% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Poland ($X), with a 25% share of total imports. It was followed by Bulgaria, with a 6.9% share.

In the Czech Republic, lead imports increased at an average annual rate of +10.4% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Poland (+6.6% per year) and Bulgaria (+0.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Eastern Europe amounted to $X per ton, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 an increase of 27% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in Hungary ($X per ton) and Poland ($X per ton), while Russia ($X per ton) and Bulgaria ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland (+1.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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