EU Lime Market - Poland Emerges As The Fastest-Growing Exporter

IndexBox has just published a new report: 'EU - Quicklime, Slaked Lime And Hydraulic Lime - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights'. Here is a summary of the report's key findings.

The revenue of the lime market in the European Union amounted to $2.1B in 2018, falling by -2.7% against 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, lime consumption continues to indicate a significant drop. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2008, with an increase of 6.8% y-o-y. In that year, the lime market reached its peak level of $3.4B. From 2009 to 2018, the growth of the lime market failed to regain its momentum.

Production in the EU

In 2018, approx. 23M tonnes of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime were produced in the European Union; reducing by -2.7% against the previous year.

Exports in the EU

In 2018, the amount of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime exported in the European Union amounted to 3.6M tonnes, picking up by 2.7% against the previous year. In general, lime exports, however, continue to indicate a slight descent. In value terms, lime exports amounted to $423M (IndexBox estimates) in 2018.

Exports by Country

In 2018, France (949K tonnes), Belgium (677K tonnes) and Germany (542K tonnes) were the key exporters of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime in the European Union, generating 61% of total export. It was distantly followed by the Czech Republic (292K tonnes), Spain (182K tonnes) and Poland (173K tonnes), together committing 18% share of total exports. The following exporters - Italy (153K tonnes), Slovakia (116K tonnes), the UK (98K tonnes), Austria (56K tonnes) and Portugal (55K tonnes) - together made up 13% of total exports. From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of exports, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by Poland, while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth. In value terms, the largest lime markets in the European Union were France ($116M), Belgium ($80M) and Germany ($69M), together accounting for 63% of total exports. The Czech Republic, Spain, Poland, the UK, Italy, Slovakia, Portugal and Austria lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 30%.

Export Prices by Country

In 2018, the lime export price in the European Union amounted to $119 per tonne, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year. Overall, the lime export price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2008, when the export price increased by 16% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices for quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime attained their maximum at $135 per tonne in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2018, export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure. There were significant differences in the average export prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2018, the country with the highest export price was the UK ($178 per tonne), while the Czech Republic ($91 per tonne) was amongst the lowest. From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of export prices was attained by Spain, while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports in the EU
 

In 2018, the amount of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime imported in the European Union stood at 3.5M tonnes, jumping by 9.3% against the previous year. In value terms, lime imports totaled $393M (IndexBox estimates) in 2018.

Imports by Country

In 2018, the Netherlands (837K tonnes), distantly followed by Finland (499K tonnes), Germany (446K tonnes), France (364K tonnes), Belgium (225K tonnes), Poland (216K tonnes) and Sweden (202K tonnes) were the largest importers of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime, together mixing up 80% of total imports. From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of imports, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Finland, while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth. In value terms, the largest lime importing markets in the European Union were the Netherlands ($99M), Finland ($55M) and Germany ($52M), with a combined 52% share of total imports.

Import Prices by Country

In 2018, the lime import price in the European Union amounted to $113 per tonne, stabilizing at the previous year. In general, the lime import price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Import prices varied noticeably by the country of destination; the country with the highest import price was Sweden ($142 per tonne), while Poland ($91 per tonne) was amongst the lowest. From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of import prices was attained by France, while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox AI Platform