Global Bentonite Market 2019 - Key Insights

IndexBox has just published a new report: 'World - Bentonite - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights'. Here is a summary of the report's key findings.

The global bentonite market revenue amounted to $5.1B in 2018, jumping by 11% 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). Over the period under review, the total market indicated a remarkable increase from 2007 to 2018: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% over the last eleven year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2018 figures, the bentonite consumption increased by +13.8% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2008, with an increase of 24% y-o-y. Over the period under review, the global bentonite market reached its maximum level at $5.4B in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2018, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production 2007-2018

In 2018, approx. 24M tonnes of bentonite were produced worldwide; surging by 3.2% against the previous year. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% from 2007 to 2018; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2008, when the the output figure increased by 25% y-o-y. Global bentonite production peaked at 26M tonnes in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2018, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports 2007-2018

In 2018, the amount of bentonite exported worldwide totaled 4.1M tonnes, approximately reflecting the previous year. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% over the period from 2007 to 2018; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2010, with an increase of 27% against the previous year. Global exports peaked at 4.1M tonnes in 2017, leveling off in the following year.

In value terms, bentonite exports amounted to $765M (IndexBox estimates) in 2018. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% over the period from 2007 to 2018; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded over the period under review. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2010, with an increase of 21% against the previous year. Global exports peaked in 2018, and are expected to retain its growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

The U.S. (845K tonnes) and Turkey (694K tonnes) represented roughly 38% of total exports of bentonite in 2018. India (459K tonnes) ranks next in terms of the total exports with a 11% share, followed by Italy (7.7%) and China (5.9%). The following exporters - Slovakia (168K tonnes), the Czech Republic (164K tonnes), the Netherlands (146K tonnes), Azerbaijan (123K tonnes), the UK (75K tonnes), Germany (75K tonnes) and Cyprus (73K tonnes) together made up 20% 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 Azerbaijan, while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the U.S. ($193M) remains the largest bentonite supplier worldwide, comprising 25% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by India ($83M), with a 11% share of global exports. It was followed by Turkey, with a 9.7% share.

Export Prices by Country

The average bentonite export price stood at $188 per tonne in 2018, surging by 5.7% against the previous year. Over the period from 2007 to 2018, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.4%.

Export prices varied noticeably by the country of origin; the country with the highest export price was the UK ($383 per tonne), while Azerbaijan ($69 per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of export prices was attained by India, while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports 2007-2018

In 2018, the global imports of bentonite amounted to 5.5M tonnes, growing by 8.8% against the previous year. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the period from 2007 to 2018; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, bentonite imports totaled $829M (IndexBox estimates) in 2018.

Imports by Country

The imports of the twelve major importers of bentonite, namely Germany, Canada, Indonesia, Japan, Poland, Sweden, Russia, Thailand, France, Malaysia, the UK and Italy, represented more than half of total import.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of imports, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Thailand, while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($93M), Canada ($56M) and Japan ($44M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2018, together comprising 23% of global imports. France, Indonesia, the UK, Italy, Thailand, Sweden, Poland, Russia and Malaysia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 28%.

Import Prices by Country

The average bentonite import price stood at $152 per tonne in 2018, going down by -6.6% against the previous year. In general, the bentonite import price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2008, an increase of 16% y-o-y. Over the period under review, the average import prices for bentonite attained their peak figure at $190 per tonne in 2011; however, from 2012 to 2018, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average import prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2018, the country with the highest import price was France ($196 per tonne), while Indonesia ($84 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 global leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox AI Platform