Alums Market

The article provides detailed insights into the global alums market, with forecasts for consumption, production, import, and export trends up to 2030. It highlights key statistics such as market performance, consumption volumes, market values, production trends, import and export volumes, and average prices. The article also looks at the top consuming, producing, importing, and exporting countries, with notable growth rates and trends highlighted. Overall, the global alums market is expected to see gradual growth in the near future, driven by increasing demand worldwide.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for alums worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +1.1% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 64K tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +3.5% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $67M (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Alums

In 2022, approx. 58K tons of alums were consumed worldwide; growing by 14% on 2021 figures. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. Global consumption peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

The global alums market revenue surged to $51M in 2022, increasing by 26% 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). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. As a result, consumption reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were Malaysia (9.2K tons), Mexico (7.7K tons) and the Philippines (5.7K tons), with a combined 39% share of global consumption. China, India, the United States, Tanzania, Myanmar, Japan, Canada, Ecuador and Guatemala lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 42%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the leading consuming countries, was attained by Guatemala (with a CAGR of +67.1%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Mexico ($8.4M), the United States ($4.4M) and China ($4M) were the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2022, with a combined 33% share of the global market. Japan, Canada, the Philippines, Malaysia, India, Guatemala, Tanzania, Myanmar and Ecuador lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 24%.

In terms of the main consuming countries, Guatemala, with a CAGR of +67.0%, saw the highest growth rate of market size over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2022, the highest levels of alums per capita consumption was registered in Malaysia (278 kg per 1000 persons), followed by Ecuador (64 kg per 1000 persons), Guatemala (61 kg per 1000 persons) and Mexico (58 kg per 1000 persons), while the world average per capita consumption of alums was estimated at 0.1 kg per 1000 persons.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the alums per capita consumption in Malaysia amounted to +18.0%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Ecuador (+8.2% per year) and Guatemala (+64.3% per year).

Production

World Production of Alums

In 2022, production of alums decreased by -1.5% to 55K tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Overall, production, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 67%. As a result, production attained the peak volume of 89K tons. From 2016 to 2022, global production growth failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, alums production reached $46M in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when the production volume increased by 23%. Over the period under review, global production attained the maximum level at $47M in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were China (16K tons), India (13K tons) and Malaysia (9.3K tons), with a combined 69% share of global production.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the main producing countries, was attained by Malaysia (with a CAGR of +1.0%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Alums

Global alums imports rose modestly to 31K tons in 2022, increasing by 2.3% on 2021 figures. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 13% against the previous year. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, alums imports expanded to $27M in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 20%. Global imports peaked at $29M in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports By Country

The purchases of the twelve major importers of alums, namely the Philippines, the United States, Tanzania, Myanmar, Japan, Ecuador, Guatemala, Thailand, Peru, South Korea, Algeria and Costa Rica, represented more than two-thirds of total import.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Tanzania (with a CAGR of +45.2%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($5.8M) constitutes the largest market for imported alums worldwide, comprising 22% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Japan ($2.8M), with an 11% share of global imports. It was followed by the Philippines, with a 6.8% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in the United States stood at +4.6%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Japan (-0.1% per year) and the Philippines (+6.3% per year).

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average alums import price amounted to $855 per ton, remaining stable against the previous year. In general, the import price recorded a pronounced contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when the average import price increased by 8.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the peak figure at $1,077 per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Peru ($2,100 per ton), while Myanmar ($184 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Peru (+9.0%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Alums

Global alums exports dropped rapidly to 28K tons in 2022, waning by -21.2% against the previous year's figure. In general, exports continue to indicate a pronounced setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 133% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of 75K tons. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the global exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, alums exports contracted sharply to $21M in 2022. Overall, exports continue to indicate a perceptible downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 93% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $42M. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the global exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports By Country

China (10K tons) and India (8.7K tons) represented the key exporters of alums in 2022, accounting for near 36% and 31% of total exports, respectively. It was distantly followed by Thailand (2.9K tons), committing an 11% share of total exports. Colombia (932 tons), the United States (858 tons), Turkey (706 tons), Taiwan (Chinese) (676 tons) and Morocco (425 tons) held a little share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by India (with a CAGR of +7.9%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($8.7M) remains the largest alums supplier worldwide, comprising 42% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by India ($2.7M), with a 13% share of global exports. It was followed by the United States, with a 3.7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in China stood at +10.5%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: India (+8.4% per year) and the United States (+7.0% per year).

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average alums export price amounted to $748 per ton, dropping by -22.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 25% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $963 per ton, and then declined rapidly in the following year.

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 Turkey ($1,074 per ton), while Thailand ($264 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+11.1%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform