EU: Lignite Market 2024

Lignite Market Size in the EU

The EU lignite market reduced slightly to $X in 2022, approximately equating the previous year. Overall, consumption showed a pronounced shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when the market value increased by 6.8%. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Lignite Production in the EU

In value terms, lignite production dropped slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production showed a pronounced curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the production volume increased by 19% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Lignite Exports

Exports in the EU

In 2022, overseas shipments of lignites were finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a four-year declining trend. In general, exports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, lignite exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Overall, exports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Germany (X tons) and the Czech Republic (X tons) represented the main exporters of lignites in the European Union, together generating 78% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Greece (X tons), constituting a 12% share of total exports. The following exporters - Romania (X tons) and Bulgaria (X tons) - together made up 6.9% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by Bulgaria (with a CAGR of +65.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($X), the Czech Republic ($X) and Greece ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 92% share of total exports. Romania and Bulgaria lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 4.3%.

Bulgaria, with a CAGR of +59.9%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to 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 the European Union amounted to $X per ton, which is down by -6.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the export price increased by 16% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2021, and then reduced in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per ton), while Greece ($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 (+3.1%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Lignite Imports

Imports in the EU

After three years of decline, purchases abroad of lignites increased by 32% to X tons in 2022. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a abrupt descent. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, lignite imports surged to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, recorded a pronounced downturn. The level of import peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

The countries with the highest levels of lignite imports in 2022 were Slovenia (X tons), Slovakia (X tons), Poland (X tons) and the Czech Republic (X tons), together amounting to 70% of total import. Hungary (X tons) held an 8.7% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Belgium (8.1%). Germany (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Germany (with a CAGR of +8.9%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced a decline in the imports figures.

In value terms, the largest lignite importing markets in the European Union were Slovenia ($X), Slovakia ($X) and Poland ($X), with a combined 62% share of total imports. The Czech Republic, Hungary, Belgium and Germany lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 29%.

Germany, with a CAGR of +10.0%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main importing countries 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 the European Union stood at $X per ton in 2022, surging by 26% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.6%. As a result, import 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 importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Slovenia ($X per ton), while Belgium ($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 (+7.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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