Eastern Europe: Lithium Oxide Market 2025

Lithium Oxide Market Size in Eastern Europe

In 2021, the East European lithium oxide market was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Over the period under review, consumption, however, saw a abrupt decline. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Lithium Oxide Production in Eastern Europe

In value terms, lithium oxide production rose rapidly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a noticeable increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.5% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production decreased by -21.1% against 2018 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the production volume increased by 29% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Lithium Oxide Exports

Exports in Eastern Europe

In 2021, after seven years of growth, there was significant decline in shipments abroad of lithium oxides, when their volume decreased by -6.1% to X tons. In general, exports, however, showed a resilient expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 77% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2020, and then contracted in the following year.

In value terms, lithium oxide exports soared to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate significant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 131%. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Russia prevails in exports structure, reaching X tons, which was near 96% of total exports in 2021. Estonia (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Exports from Russia increased at an average annual rate of +13.8% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Estonia (+41.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Estonia emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Eastern Europe, with a CAGR of +41.2% from 2012-2021. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Estonia increased by +2.7 percentage points.

In value terms, Russia ($X) remains the largest lithium oxide supplier in Eastern Europe, comprising 94% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Estonia ($X), with a 4.2% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Russia stood at +22.2%.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Eastern Europe stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 26% against the previous year. In general, the export price recorded prominent growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when the export price increased by 40% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Estonia ($X per ton), while Russia amounted to $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Estonia (+20.0%).

Lithium Oxide Imports

Imports in Eastern Europe

For the fourth year in a row, Eastern Europe recorded growth in supplies from abroad of lithium oxides, which increased by 52% to X tons in 2021. Overall, imports recorded a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when imports increased by 78% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, lithium oxide imports soared to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports saw a prominent expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 176%. The level of import peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

The purchases of the three major importers of lithium oxides, namely Russia, the Czech Republic and Poland, represented more than two-thirds of total import. It was distantly followed by Estonia (X tons), creating a 9.8% share of total imports. Ukraine (X tons) and Belarus (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Estonia (with a CAGR of +111.6%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Russia ($X), Poland ($X) and Estonia ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, with a combined 82% share of total imports.

Among the main importing countries, Estonia, with a CAGR of +119.9%, 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

In 2021, the import price in Eastern Europe amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 22% against the previous year. In general, the import price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 an increase of 125%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2017 to 2021, the import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Belarus ($X per ton), while the Czech Republic ($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 (+8.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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