Japan: Lime Market 2024

Lime Market Size in Japan

The Japanese lime market expanded slightly to $X in 2021, picking up by 2.6% against the previous year. In general, consumption, however, recorded a mild contraction. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Lime Production in Japan

In value terms, lime production totaled $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, recorded a pronounced descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 5%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Lime Exports

Exports from Japan

In 2021, the amount of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime exported from Japan expanded to X tons, growing by 1.9% against 2020. Overall, total exports indicated a noticeable increase from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.9% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports decreased by -8.1% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 87% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, lime exports rose significantly to $X in 2021. In general, exports showed a mild increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 17%. The exports peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

South Korea (X tons), Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons) and China (X tons) were the main destinations of lime exports from Japan, together comprising 78% of total exports. Singapore, Thailand, Australia, Indonesia and Malaysia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 19%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Australia (with a CAGR of +37.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($X), South Korea ($X) and Taiwan (Chinese) ($X) were the largest markets for lime exported from Japan worldwide, together accounting for 75% of total exports. Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Australia and Malaysia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 17%.

Australia, with a CAGR of +34.2%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

Export Prices by Country

The average lime export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 5.8% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, continues to indicate a pronounced shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 an increase of 22%. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2021, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Australia ($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 Malaysia (+7.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Lime Imports

Imports into Japan

In 2021, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in supplies from abroad of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime, when their volume decreased by -44.6% to X tons. In general, imports showed a abrupt curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when imports increased by 62%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2017 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, lime imports declined rapidly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports showed a abrupt decrease. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 79% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Thailand (X tons), China (X tons) and Malaysia (X tons) were the main suppliers of lime imports to Japan, with a combined 87% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Malaysia (with a CAGR of +40.1%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

In value terms, the largest lime suppliers to Japan were China ($X), Malaysia ($X) and Germany ($X), with a combined 82% share of total imports.

Among the main suppliers, Malaysia, with a CAGR of +54.3%, saw 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 average lime import price amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 26% against the previous year. Overall, the import price enjoyed buoyant growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the average import price increased by 67% against the previous year. The import price peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (+15.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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