EU: Zinc Market 2025

Zinc Market Size in the EU

In 2021, the EU zinc market was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Zinc Production in the EU

In value terms, zinc production expanded significantly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production saw a noticeable contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 97% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2016 to 2021, production growth remained at a lower figure.

Zinc Exports

Exports in the EU

For the third consecutive year, the European Union recorded growth in shipments abroad of zinc, which increased by 4.9% to X tons in 2021. Total exports indicated a notable increase from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +60.9% against 2016 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when exports increased by 25%. The volume of export peaked in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

In value terms, zinc exports soared to $X in 2021. Total exports indicated buoyant growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.3% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +116.7% against 2016 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 45% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure in 2021 and are likely to continue growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

In 2021, the Netherlands (X tons), Belgium (X tons) and Spain (X tons) represented the main exporter of zinc in the European Union, comprising 67% of total export. Finland (X tons) ranks next in terms of the total exports with an 11% share, followed by Germany (5.2%). The following exporters - France (X tons) and Poland (X tons) - each resulted at an 8.2% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for the Netherlands (with a CAGR of +8.6%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X), Belgium ($X) and Spain ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, together accounting for 67% of total exports.

The Netherlands, with a CAGR of +12.8%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of 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

The export price in the European Union stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 26% against the previous year. Export price indicated temperate growth from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.2% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of 32%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, major exporting countries recorded the following prices: in Belgium ($X per ton) and Poland ($X per ton), while France ($X per ton) and the Netherlands ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland (+4.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Zinc Imports

Imports in the EU

In 2021, imports of zinc in the European Union amounted to X tons, with an increase of 11% on the year before. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 11% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs in 2021 and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, zinc imports surged to $X in 2021. Total imports indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.6% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when imports increased by 42%. The level of import peaked in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

The purchases of the five major importers of zinc, namely Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy and France, represented more than two-thirds of total import. It was distantly followed by Austria (X tons), mixing up a 5.1% share of total imports. Poland (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by the Netherlands (with a CAGR of +4.6%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and Belgium ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, with a combined 54% share of total imports.

Among the main importing countries, the Netherlands, with a CAGR of +8.8%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to 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 the European Union amounted to $X per ton, growing by 25% against the previous year. Import price indicated a perceptible increase from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 an increase of 39%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in Austria ($X per ton) and Germany ($X per ton), while the Netherlands ($X per ton) and Belgium ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland (+5.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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