Japan: Lignite Market 2024

Lignite Market Size in Japan

The Japanese lignite market skyrocketed to $X in 2022, jumping by 25% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Overall, consumption, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Lignite consumption peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Lignite Exports

Exports from Japan

In 2022, approx. X tons of lignites were exported from Japan; with a decrease of -8.3% against the previous year's figure. Overall, exports showed a dramatic curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 118% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, lignite exports reduced to $X in 2022. In general, exports continue to indicate a precipitous setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 26%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Kuwait (X tons) was the main destination for lignite exports from Japan, with a 88% share of total exports. Moreover, lignite exports to Kuwait exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Thailand (X kg), more than tenfold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Kuwait stood at -13.8%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Thailand (-15.0% per year) and South Korea (-31.1% per year).

In value terms, Kuwait ($X) remains the key foreign market for lignites exports from Japan, comprising 90% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by South Korea ($X), with a 3.5% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to Kuwait amounted to -13.7%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: South Korea (-21.4% per year) and Thailand (-30.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average lignite export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, declining by -2.1% against the previous year. In general, export price indicated perceptible growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, lignite export price increased by +90.0% against 2017 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 an increase of 62%. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2021, and then dropped modestly in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was South Korea ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Thailand ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to South Korea (+13.9%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Lignite Imports

Imports into Japan

In 2022, imports of lignites into Japan expanded to X tons, surging by 1.8% on the previous year. Over the period under review, imports, however, recorded a abrupt contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 39% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, lignite imports soared to $X in 2022. Overall, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 34% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Indonesia (X tons), China (X tons) and Canada (X tons) were the main suppliers of lignite imports to Japan, with a combined 97% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Indonesia (with a CAGR of +49.1%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest lignite suppliers to Japan were China ($X), Indonesia ($X) and Canada ($X), together accounting for 92% of total imports.

In terms of the main suppliers, Indonesia, with a CAGR of +37.0%, 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 2022, the average lignite import price amounted to $X per ton, rising by 30% against the previous year. In general, import price indicated resilient growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +6.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, lignite import price increased by +89.1% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average import price increased by 46%. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the maximum in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the price for Indonesia ($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 United States (+3.3%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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