Arsenic Market

The article discusses the forecasted upward trend in the global arsenic market from 2022 to 2030, with expected increases in consumption volume and market value. It highlights China as the largest consumer and producer of arsenic, while also delving into trends in other key countries such as Morocco, Namibia, Russia, India, and the United States. The analysis covers patterns in consumption, production, imports, and exports of arsenic, providing valuable insights for stakeholders in the industry.

Market Forecast

Driven by rising demand for arsenic worldwide, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +0.9% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 39K tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +2.0% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $1.4B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Arsenic

In 2022, consumption of arsenic decreased by -0.6% to 36K tons, falling for the third consecutive year after two years of growth. Overall, consumption showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, global consumption reached the maximum volume at 44K tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

The global arsenic market value declined to $1.2B in 2022, stabilizing at 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). In general, consumption, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Global consumption peaked at $1.2B in 2021, and then contracted in the following year.

Consumption By Country

China (20K tons) remains the largest arsenic consuming country worldwide, comprising approx. 56% of total volume. Moreover, arsenic consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, Morocco (5.3K tons), fourfold. Namibia (3.9K tons) ranked third in terms of total consumption with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in China was relatively modest. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Morocco (-4.9% per year) and Namibia (+37.7% per year).

In value terms, Russia ($1B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was held by Namibia ($79M). It was followed by China.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Russia was relatively modest. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Namibia (+38.4% per year) and China (+2.7% per year).

In 2022, the highest levels of arsenic per capita consumption was registered in Namibia (1,489 kg per 1000 persons), followed by Morocco (142 kg per 1000 persons), Belgium (95 kg per 1000 persons) and China (14 kg per 1000 persons), while the world average per capita consumption of arsenic was estimated at 4.6 kg per 1000 persons.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the arsenic per capita consumption in Namibia amounted to +35.2%. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of per capita consumption growth: Morocco (-6.0% per year) and Belgium (0.0% per year).

Production

World Production of Arsenic

In 2022, after three years of decline, there was growth in production of arsenic, when its volume increased by 0.3% to 38K tons. Overall, production, however, continues to indicate a slight setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when the production volume increased by 6.7% against the previous year. Global production peaked at 44K tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, arsenic production amounted to $195M in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, recorded a sharp descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the production volume increased by 18% against the previous year. Global production peaked at $9.2B in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production By Country

The country with the largest volume of arsenic production was China (24K tons), accounting for 62% of total volume. Moreover, arsenic production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Morocco (5.3K tons), fourfold. Namibia (3.9K tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 10% share.

In China, arsenic production remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Morocco (-4.9% per year) and Namibia (+1.6% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Arsenic

In 2022, global imports of arsenic surged to 4.2K tons, with an increase of 16% against 2021 figures. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 31% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports hit record highs at 4.5K tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, arsenic imports declined to $24M in 2022. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +74.0% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 41% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports reached the maximum at $25M in 2021, and then contracted in the following year.

Imports By Country

India (1.1K tons) and the United States (1K tons) were the major importers of arsenic in 2022, recording near 26% and 23% of total imports, respectively. It was distantly followed by Turkey (206 tons), comprising a 4.9% share of total imports. Spain (177 tons), Mexico (165 tons), Indonesia (160 tons), Sweden (144 tons), Honduras (113 tons), South Korea (113 tons), Belgium (111 tons), Pakistan (109 tons), Thailand (101 tons) and Canada (97 tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Mexico (with a CAGR of +30.4%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest arsenic importing markets worldwide were the United States ($2.4M), India ($1.3M) and Sweden ($575K), together comprising 18% of global imports.

Sweden, with a CAGR of +33.7%, 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

The average arsenic import price stood at $5,632 per ton in 2022, dropping by -19.6% against the previous year. Overall, import price indicated pronounced growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 an increase of 87%. Global import price peaked at $7,003 per ton in 2021, and then contracted rapidly in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Sweden ($3,983 per ton), while India ($1,205 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Sweden (+4.6%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Arsenic

In 2022, overseas shipments of arsenic increased by 17% to 6.2K tons, rising for the third consecutive year after three years of decline. In general, exports, however, saw a slight shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 45%. The global exports peaked at 7K tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, arsenic exports shrank to $22M in 2022. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a abrupt decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 37%. The global exports peaked at $97M in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports By Country

China (3.4K tons) and the Netherlands (2.3K tons) prevails in exports structure, together achieving 92% of total exports. The following exporters - the United States (189 tons) and Spain (112 tons) - together made up 4.8% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Spain (with a CAGR of +48.1%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest arsenic supplying countries worldwide were China ($5.1M), the Netherlands ($3.4M) and the United States ($456K), with a combined 41% share of global exports. These countries were followed by Spain, which accounted for a further 1.1%.

Spain, with a CAGR of +47.9%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average arsenic export price amounted to $3,510 per ton, falling by -23.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price recorded a abrupt setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 52% against the previous year. The global export price peaked at $13,816 per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($2,414 per ton), while the Netherlands ($1,478 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+3.1%), while the other global leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform