Global Lime Market 2025

Lime Market Size

In 2021, after five years of growth, there was decline in the global lime market, when its value decreased by -0.1% to $X. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the global market failed to regain momentum.

Lime Production

In value terms, lime production dropped modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the production volume increased by 28%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2021, global production growth failed to regain momentum.

Lime Exports

Exports

In 2021, shipments abroad of lime increased by 5.9% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when exports increased by 9.5% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the global exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, lime exports rose notably to $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when exports increased by 11% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports reached the peak figure at $X in 2019; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Belgium (X tons), Germany (X tons), France (X tons), Malaysia (X tons), Vietnam (X tons), the United Arab Emirates (X tons), Oman (X tons), the United States (X tons), Spain (X tons), Thailand (X tons), Argentina (X tons) and Russia (X tons) was the largest exporter of lime in the world, mixing up 61% of total export. Canada (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Oman (with a CAGR of +31.2%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest lime supplying countries worldwide were Belgium ($X), France ($X) and Germany ($X), together comprising 30% of global exports. These countries were followed by Vietnam, Malaysia, the United States, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, Spain, Oman, Thailand, Argentina and Russia, which together accounted for a further 33%.

Among the main exporting countries, Oman, with a CAGR of +28.6%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average lime export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, rising by 3.6% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the average export price increased by 4.5% against the previous year. The global export price peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Canada ($X per ton), while Russia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Vietnam (+4.5%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Lime Imports

Imports

In 2021, purchases abroad of lime was finally on the rise to reach X tons after two years of decline. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 13% against the previous year. Global imports peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, lime imports surged to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2021, the Netherlands (X tons), France (X tons), Germany (X tons), Finland (X tons), Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons), Chile (X tons), Canada (X tons), Australia (X tons), Sweden (X tons), the United States (X tons), Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons) and India (X tons) was the main importer of lime in the world, making up 52% of total import. Bangladesh (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Australia (with a CAGR of +29.9%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest lime importing markets worldwide were the Netherlands ($X), France ($X) and Finland ($X), together accounting for 23% of global imports. Germany, the United States, Sweden, Chile, Canada, Australia, Taiwan (Chinese), Democratic Republic of the Congo, Bangladesh and India lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 34%.

Bangladesh, with a CAGR of +31.3%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average lime import price amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 5.4% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Global import price peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Taiwan (Chinese) (+3.7%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :