Europe: Lignite Market 2024

Lignite Market Size in Europe

In 2022, the Europe lignite market decreased by -0.4% to $X, falling for the fifth consecutive year after two years of growth. In general, consumption saw a perceptible setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the market value increased by 6.1%. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Lignite Production in Europe

In value terms, lignite production contracted slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production continues to indicate a pronounced downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 21%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Lignite Exports

Exports in Europe

For the sixth year in a row, Europe recorded growth in shipments abroad of lignites, which increased by 16% to X tons in 2022. In general, exports showed a buoyant increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when exports increased by 63% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, lignite exports fell slightly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports enjoyed resilient growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 69%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X, and then dropped slightly in the following year.

Exports by Country

Russia prevails in exports structure, resulting at X tons, which was near 75% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Germany (X tons), the Czech Republic (X tons) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (X tons), together mixing up a 19% share of total exports. Greece (X tons) held a minor share of total exports.

Russia was also the fastest-growing in terms of the lignites exports, with a CAGR of +57.7% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Greece (+34.8%) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (+6.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Germany (-1.1%) and the Czech Republic (-2.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Russia (+72 p.p.) and Greece (+1.6 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Bosnia and Herzegovina, Germany and the Czech Republic saw its share reduced by -7.6%, -29% and -29.6% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, Russia ($X) remains the largest lignite supplier in Europe, comprising 63% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Germany ($X), with a 14% share of total exports. It was followed by the Czech Republic, with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Russia stood at +46.9%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Germany (-1.4% per year) and the Czech Republic (+0.5% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Europe stood at $X per ton in 2022, dropping by -16% against the previous year. In general, the export price recorded a noticeable decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the export price increased by 11% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

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 Europe

In 2022, supplies from abroad of lignites was finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Overall, imports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, lignite imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. In general, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Serbia (X tons) represented the major importer of lignites, mixing up 47% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Slovenia (X tons), Slovakia (X tons), Poland (X tons), the Czech Republic (X tons) and Switzerland (X tons), together mixing up a 35% share of total imports. Hungary (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Serbia was also the fastest-growing in terms of the lignites imports, with a CAGR of +16.2% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Switzerland (+14.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Slovenia (-2.8%), Hungary (-3.6%), Poland (-4.6%), Slovakia (-6.2%) and the Czech Republic (-6.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Serbia (+37 p.p.) and Switzerland (+3.4 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Hungary, Slovenia, Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia saw its share reduced by -1.8%, -3.5%, -4.5%, -6% and -7.3% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, Serbia ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported lignites in Europe, comprising 34% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Slovenia ($X), with a 14% share of total imports. It was followed by Slovakia, with a 9.8% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Serbia amounted to +16.6%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Slovenia (+0.5% per year) and Slovakia (-1.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Europe amounted to $X per ton, remaining stable against the previous year. In general, the import price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 6.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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 ($X per ton), while Serbia ($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