Which Country Exports the Most Natural Abrasives in the World?

IndexBox has just published a new report "World: Abrasives (Natural) - Market Report. Analysis and Forecast to 2025". Here is a summary of the report's key findings.

Global abrasive imports stood at 3.1M tonnes in 2016, declining by -6.5% against the previous year level. Overall, abrasive imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2012, when import increased by 9% against the previous year level. Over the period under review, global abrasive imports attained its maximum volume of 3.7M tonnes in 2014- however, from 2015 to 2016, it stood at a somewhat lower level.

In value terms, abrasive imports stood at $290M in 2016. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% from 2007 to 2016- the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations in certain years. Over the period under review, global abrasive imports attained its maximum level of $339M in 2014- however, from 2015 to 2016, it stood at a somewhat lower level.

Top Abrasive Importing Countries in the World

1. United Arab Emirates (29.8 million USD)

2. Saudi Arabia (24.4 million USD)

3. China (12.9 million USD)

4. Indonesia (10.4 million USD)

5. Germany (7.6 million USD)

6. Israel (4.8 million USD)

7. Australia (4.5 million USD)

8. Japan (3.8 million USD)

9. France (3.5 million USD)

10. India (1.1 million USD)

11. Greece (0.1 million USD)

Abrasive Imports By Country

India (574K tonnes), and Greece (569K tonnes) represented the main importers of abrasive in 2016, recording approx. 19%, and 18% of total imports, respectively. Australia (343K tonnes) occupied a 11% share (based on tonnes) of global abrasive imports, which put it in second place, following Germany (9%), and United Arab Emirates (5%). Israel (119K tonnes), Indonesia (116K tonnes), Saudi Arabia (89K tonnes), France (79K tonnes), China (75K tonnes), and Japan (59K tonnes) followed a long way behind this figure.

From 2007 to 2016, the most notable growth rate of abrasive imports, among the main importing countries, was attained by France (+15.3% per year), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest abrasive markets worldwide were United Arab Emirates ($30M), Saudi Arabia ($24M) and China ($13M), with a combined 23% share of global imports.

United Arab Emirates (+12.0% per year) experienced the highest rates of growth with regard to the abrasive imports, in terms of the main importing countries, over the last 9 years, while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Abrasive Import Prices By Country

In 2016, the average import price for abrasive amounted to $94 per tonne, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year level. Over the period from 2007 to 2016 it increased at an average annual rate of +2.5%.The growth pace was the most rapid in 2008, an increase of 16% year-to-year. Over the period under review, average abrasive import price reached its maximum level of $96 per tonne in 2013- however, from 2014 to 2016, it failed to regain its strength.

Import prices varied noticeably by country of destination. the country with the highest import prices was Saudi Arabia ($274 per tonne), while Greece ($0 per kg) was among the lowest.

From 2007 to 2016, the most notable growth rate of abrasive import prices was attained by Saudi Arabia (+6.8% per year), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Do you want to know more about global abrasive market? Get the latest trends and insight from our report. It includes a wide range of statistics on

• abrasive market share
• abrasive prices
• abrasive industry
• abrasive sales
• abrasive import
• abrasive export
• abrasive market forecast
• abrasive price forecast
• key abrasive producers

All data provided in this article covers the following product: HS Code 2513 - Pumice stone- emery- natural corundum, natural garnet and other natural abrasives, whether or not heat treated.

Source: World: Abrasives (Natural) - Market Report. Analysis and Forecast to 2025