Greece: Lime Market 2025

Lime Market Size in Greece

In 2021, the Greek lime market increased by 21% to $X, rising for the second consecutive year after three years of decline. Overall, consumption showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Lime Production in Greece

In value terms, lime production expanded rapidly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 25%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Lime Exports

Exports from Greece

In 2021, lime exports from Greece plummeted to X tons, with a decrease of -22.6% on the previous year. In general, exports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 38%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, lime exports contracted notably to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 41% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

North Macedonia (X tons) was the main destination for lime exports from Greece, accounting for a 64% share of total exports. Moreover, lime exports to North Macedonia exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Albania (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Kosovo (X tons), with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to North Macedonia stood at +2.8%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Albania (+10.2% per year) and Kosovo (-54.3% per year).

In value terms, North Macedonia ($X) remains the key foreign market for quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime exports from Greece, comprising 64% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Albania ($X), with a 21% share of total exports. It was followed by Kosovo, with a 10% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to North Macedonia was relatively modest. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Albania (+15.1% per year) and Kosovo (-55.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average lime export price amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 8.5% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, saw a mild downturn. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat for the major foreign markets. In 2021, the highest price was recorded for prices to Serbia ($X per ton) and Albania ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Kosovo ($X per ton) and Bulgaria ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Albania (+4.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Lime Imports

Imports into Greece

In 2021, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in overseas purchases of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime, when their volume increased by 102% to X tons. In general, imports showed buoyant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when imports increased by 198% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, lime imports soared to $X in 2021. Overall, imports continue to indicate a resilient expansion. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Croatia (X tons), Bulgaria (X tons) and Turkey (X tons) were the main suppliers of lime imports to Greece, together comprising 97% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Croatia (with a CAGR of +720.7%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Croatia ($X) constituted the largest supplier of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime to Greece, comprising 66% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Bulgaria ($X), with a 23% share of total imports. It was followed by France, with a 4.7% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Croatia totaled +703.6%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Bulgaria (+3.8% per year) and France (+7.5% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average lime import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, increasing by 37% against the previous year. In general, import price indicated strong growth from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +5.4% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, lime import price increased by +69.9% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 an increase of 38%. The import price peaked in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was France ($X per ton), while the price for Turkey ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Bulgaria (+3.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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