India: Kaolin Market 2024

Kaolin Market Size in India

In 2021, after three years of decline, there was growth in the Indian kaolin market, when its value increased by 4.5% to $X. Over the period under review, consumption, however, saw a resilient increase. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Kaolin Production in India

In value terms, kaolin production plummeted to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, continues to indicate a noticeable reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the production volume increased by 58%. Kaolin production peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Kaolin Exports

Exports from India

In 2021, approx. X tons of kaolin and kaolinic clays were exported from India; with an increase of 42% on the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a buoyant expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 128% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, kaolin exports surged to $X in 2021. In general, exports recorded a buoyant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 61% against the previous year. The exports peaked in 2021 and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

The United Arab Emirates (X tons) was the main destination for kaolin exports from India, accounting for a 41% share of total exports. Moreover, kaolin exports to the United Arab Emirates exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Oman (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Bangladesh (X tons), with a 14% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to the United Arab Emirates was relatively modest. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Oman (+55.6% per year) and Bangladesh (+13.6% per year).

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X), Bangladesh ($X) and Bahrain ($X) appeared to be the largest markets for kaolin exported from India worldwide, with a combined 40% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Oman, China, Nepal and Saudi Arabia, which together accounted for a further 22%.

Among the main countries of destination, China, with a CAGR of +67.0%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average kaolin export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 3% against the previous year. Overall, export price indicated a pronounced expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, kaolin export price increased by +62.9% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when the average export price increased by 58%. The export price peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Saudi Arabia ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Bangladesh (+0.9%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Kaolin Imports

Imports into India

In 2021, imports of kaolin and kaolinic clays into India expanded significantly to X tons, growing by 13% against 2020 figures. Over the period under review, imports enjoyed resilient growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when imports increased by 31% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, kaolin imports soared to $X in 2021. In general, imports showed a resilient increase. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2021, the United States (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of kaolin to India, accounting for a 48% share of total imports. Moreover, kaolin imports from the United States exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, China (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Ukraine (X tons), with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from the United States stood at +15.0%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: China (+12.5% per year) and Ukraine (+46.2% per year).

In value terms, the United States ($X) constituted the largest supplier of kaolin and kaolinic clays to India, comprising 52% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by China ($X), with a 20% share of total imports. It was followed by the UK, with an 8.7% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value from the United States totaled +14.7%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: China (+20.7% per year) and the UK (+33.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average kaolin import price amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 14% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.5%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the average import price increased by 26% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while the price for Iran ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Indonesia (+9.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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