New Zealand: Lactam Market 2025

Lactam Market Size in New Zealand

The New Zealand lactam market soared to $X in 2021, increasing by 70% 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). Over the period under review, consumption showed noticeable growth. Lactam consumption peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Lactam Exports

Exports from New Zealand

In 2021, overseas shipments of lactams from heterocyclic compounds decreased by -80% to X kg, falling for the second year in a row after four years of growth. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded significant growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 2,475% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X kg in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, lactam exports dropped sharply to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, saw a significant increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when exports increased by 7,862% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Australia (X kg) was the main destination for lactam exports from New Zealand, accounting for a 95% share of total exports. Moreover, lactam exports to Australia exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Spain (X kg), more than tenfold.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to Australia totaled +37.9%.

In value terms, Australia ($X) remains the key foreign market for lactams from heterocyclic compounds exports from New Zealand, comprising 95% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by the United States ($X), with a 3.6% share of total exports. It was followed by Japan, with a 1.1% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Australia totaled +46.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the United States (+3.1% per year) and Japan (-12.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average lactam export price stood at $X per kg in 2021, picking up by 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, recorded a mild contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 209% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per kg. From 2019 to 2021, the average export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Australia ($X per kg), while the average price for exports to Spain totaled $X per kg.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Australia (+6.0%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Lactam Imports

Imports into New Zealand

Lactam imports into New Zealand soared to X tons in 2021, picking up by 54% on the year before. In general, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 69%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, lactam imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Overall, imports posted buoyant growth. Imports peaked at $X in 2019; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

Imports by Country

In 2021, China (X tons) constituted the largest lactam supplier to New Zealand, accounting for a 59% share of total imports. Moreover, lactam imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, South Korea (X tons), fourfold. Switzerland (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 14% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from China stood at +68.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: South Korea (-2.2% per year) and Switzerland (+90.8% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) constituted the largest supplier of lactams from heterocyclic compounds to New Zealand, comprising 70% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Switzerland ($X), with a 5.4% share of total imports. It was followed by the United States, with a 3.9% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value from China amounted to +60.9%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Switzerland (+42.1% per year) and the United States (-22.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average lactam import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, with an increase of 14% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import price indicated a remarkable increase from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +5.2% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, lactam import price increased by +59.4% against 2016 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the average import price increased by 23%. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the price for South Korea ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+10.6%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :