Portugal: Lime Market 2025

Lime Market Size in Portugal

In 2021, the Portuguese lime market decreased by -1.3% to $X, falling for the second year in a row after three years of growth. Overall, consumption, however, continues to indicate a noticeable slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 6.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Lime Production in Portugal

In value terms, lime production dropped to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the production volume increased by 11%. Lime production peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Lime Exports

Exports from Portugal

In 2021, overseas shipments of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime decreased by -1.3% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after three years of growth. In general, exports, however, recorded a significant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when exports increased by 121% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, lime exports rose markedly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, enjoyed a buoyant expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 87%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure in 2021 and are likely to continue growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

Finland (X tons), Spain (X tons) and South Africa (X tons) were the main destinations of lime exports from Portugal, with a combined 77% share of total exports. Ghana, the UK, Guinea and Angola lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 18%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Guinea (with a CAGR of +99.8%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, South Africa ($X), Spain ($X) and Finland ($X) constituted the largest markets for lime exported from Portugal worldwide, with a combined 71% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Ghana, the UK, Guinea and Angola, which together accounted for a further 23%.

In terms of the main countries of destination, Guinea, with a CAGR of +81.0%, 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

In 2021, the average lime export price amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 10% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, showed a mild setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when the average export price increased by 16%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2021, the average export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2021, the country with the highest price was the UK ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Finland ($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 Angola (+3.9%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Lime Imports

Imports into Portugal

In 2021, overseas purchases of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime decreased by -53.5% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Over the period under review, imports, however, saw a resilient increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 256%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2020, and then shrank significantly in the following year.

In value terms, lime imports contracted sharply to $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, enjoyed a resilient expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 206% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2020, and then reduced remarkably in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Spain (X tons) was the main supplier of lime to Portugal, with a 96% share of total imports. Moreover, lime imports from Spain exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, France (X tons), more than tenfold.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from Spain totaled +12.6%.

In value terms, Spain ($X) constituted the largest supplier of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime to Portugal, comprising 93% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by France ($X), with a 5.3% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value from Spain totaled +15.1%.

Import Prices by Country

The average lime import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 48% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import price indicated modest growth from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was France ($X per ton), while the price for Spain amounted to $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Spain (+2.2%).

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :