United Kingdom: Lignite Market 2025

Lignite Market Size in the UK

In 2022, the UK lignite market increased by 88% to $X, rising for the third year in a row after three years of decline. In general, consumption enjoyed a buoyant expansion. As a result, consumption reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Lignite Production in the UK

In value terms, lignite production stood at $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 33%. Over the period under review, production attained the maximum level at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Lignite Exports

Exports from the UK

In 2022, overseas shipments of lignites were finally on the rise to reach X tons after two years of decline. In general, exports, however, showed a drastic downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when exports increased by 132% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, lignite exports soared to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, recorded a deep downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when exports increased by 111%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Ireland (X tons) was the main destination for lignite exports from the UK, with a 57% share of total exports. Moreover, lignite exports to Ireland exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Belgium (X tons), threefold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to Ireland stood at -13.3%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Belgium (+2,311.3% per year) and France (0.0% per year).

In value terms, Ireland ($X) remains the key foreign market for lignites exports from the UK, comprising 58% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Belgium ($X), with an 18% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to Ireland stood at -11.5%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Belgium (+699,883.3% per year) and France (0.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average lignite export price amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 45% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, showed a noticeable descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the average export price increased by 82%. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied noticeably for the major export markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Belgium ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to France ($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 Belgium (+28,947.9%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Lignite Imports

Imports into the UK

In 2022, purchases abroad of lignites increased by 362% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after four years of decline. In general, imports posted a strong expansion. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, lignite imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports posted a strong expansion. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Germany (X tons) was the main lignite supplier to the UK, with a 93% share of total imports. Moreover, lignite imports from Germany exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, the United States (X tons), more than tenfold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from Germany totaled +20.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the United States (-2.0% per year) and Ireland (+41.8% per year).

In value terms, Germany ($X) constituted the largest supplier of lignites to the UK, comprising 67% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United States ($X), with a 28% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Germany stood at +30.6%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the United States (+0.5% per year) and Ireland (+57.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average lignite import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, falling by -36.1% against the previous year. In general, the import price continues to indicate a drastic downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 an increase of 106%. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Ireland (+10.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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