U.S.: Lime Market 2024

Lime Market Size in the U.S.

The U.S. lime market reduced to $X in 2021, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 4.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Lime Production in the U.S.

In value terms, lime production declined to $X in 2021. In general, production showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 4.9%. Lime production peaked at $X in 2018; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

Lime Exports

Exports from the U.S.

After two years of decline, overseas shipments of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime increased by 15% to X tons in 2021. Overall, total exports indicated a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.0% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports decreased by -24.6% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 35% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, lime exports soared to $X in 2021. In general, exports posted a temperate increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 34%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Canada (X tons) was the main destination for lime exports from the United States, with a 97% share of total exports. It was followed by Mexico (X tons), with a 1.8% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Canada amounted to +6.9%.

In value terms, Canada ($X) remains the key foreign market for quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime exports from the United States, comprising 91% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Mexico ($X), with a 2% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to Canada amounted to +5.2%.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average lime export price amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 2.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, saw a mild curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when the average export price increased by 12% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2017 to 2021, the average export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied noticeably for the major external markets. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Mexico ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Canada stood at $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Mexico (+1.6%).

Lime Imports

Imports into the U.S.

In 2021, after eight years of decline, there was growth in overseas purchases of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime, when their volume increased by 2.4% to X tons. Over the period under review, imports, however, recorded a noticeable contraction. Imports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, lime imports stood at $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, saw a mild reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when imports increased by 4.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Canada (X tons) constituted the largest lime supplier to the United States, with a 86% share of total imports. Moreover, lime imports from Canada exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Mexico (X tons), tenfold.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from Canada totaled -5.3%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Mexico (+3.2% per year) and the Dominican Republic (+45.0% per year).

In value terms, Canada ($X) constituted the largest supplier of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime to the United States, comprising 77% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Mexico ($X), with a 10% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value from Canada amounted to -3.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Mexico (+5.9% per year) and the Dominican Republic (+29.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average lime import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, increasing by 2.1% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.8%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 an increase of 11%. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mexico (+2.6%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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