Siliceous Fossil Meal (Kieselguhr, Tripolite and Diatomite) Market

The article discusses the increasing demand for siliceous fossil meals globally, with forecasts showing a positive consumption trend. Market performance is expected to accelerate, with a CAGR of +2.9% in consumption and +5.4% in value from 2022 to 2030. Consumption reached 2.8M tons in 2022, with the United States, Denmark, and China being the top consumers. Production, imports, and exports of siliceous fossil meals are also analyzed, with insights into key countries involved and price trends.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to accelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +2.9% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 3.5M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +5.4% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $2.5B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Siliceous Fossil Meals (Kieselguhr, Tripolite and Diatomite)

In 2022, consumption of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) increased by 1% to 2.8M tons, rising for the fifth consecutive year after three years of decline. In general, consumption continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption attained the peak volume of 2.8M tons; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

The value of the market for siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) worldwide rose to $1.6B in 2022, with an increase of 3.7% 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). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $1.8B. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the global market remained at a lower figure.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were the United States (756K tons), Denmark (510K tons) and China (458K tons), with a combined 62% share of global consumption. Argentina, Peru, Mexico, Japan, Turkey, France and Spain lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 24%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Mexico (with a CAGR of +8.0%), while diatomite) for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest siliceous fossil meal (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) markets worldwide were the United States ($441M), Denmark ($278M) and China ($208M), together accounting for 56% of the global market. Peru, Japan, Mexico, Argentina, France, Turkey and Spain lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 30%.

Mexico, with a CAGR of +8.8%, saw the highest growth rate of market size in terms of the main consuming countries over the period under review, while diatomite) for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2022, the highest levels of per capita consumption of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) was registered in Denmark (87 kg per person), followed by Peru (3.7 kg per person), Argentina (3 kg per person) and the United States (2.3 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of siliceous fossil meal (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) was estimated at 0.4 kg per person.

In Denmark, per capita consumption of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) expanded at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of per capita consumption growth: Peru (+1.8% per year) and Argentina (-7.5% per year).

Production

World Production of Siliceous Fossil Meals (Kieselguhr, Tripolite and Diatomite)

Global production of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) totaled 2.6M tons in 2022, approximately equating the previous year's figure. In general, production saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 9.1%. As a result, production reached the peak volume of 2.8M tons. From 2015 to 2022, global production of growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, production of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) amounted to $1.6B in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.0% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 17%. Over the period under review, global production of attained the maximum level at $1.6B in 2020; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were the United States (808K tons), Denmark (488K tons) and China (475K tons), with a combined 67% share of global production. Argentina, Peru, Mexico, Japan, France, Turkey and Spain lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 26%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Mexico (with a CAGR of +3.4%), while diatomite) for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Siliceous Fossil Meals (Kieselguhr, Tripolite and Diatomite)

In 2022, overseas purchases of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) increased by 1.5% to 413K tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. Over the period under review, imports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 30%. As a result, imports reached the peak of 507K tons. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of global imports of failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, imports of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) rose notably to $261M in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 15% against the previous year. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports By Country

The countries with the highest levels of imports of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) in 2022 were Germany (36K tons), Brazil (27K tons), Iraq (22K tons), Denmark (22K tons), Chile (18K tons), Belgium (17K tons), France (15K tons), Canada (15K tons), the United States (14K tons), China (13K tons), Austria (13K tons) and the UK (11K tons), together accounting for 54% of total import. The Czech Republic (11K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Iraq (with a CAGR of +47.1%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest siliceous fossil meal (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) importing markets worldwide were Germany ($19M), Brazil ($18M) and Belgium ($14M), with a combined 20% share of global imports. China, Austria, Denmark, Canada, the United States, France, the UK, Chile, the Czech Republic and Iraq lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 28%.

In terms of the main importing countries, Iraq, with a CAGR of +21.7%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

The average import price for siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) stood at $633 per ton in 2022, with an increase of 12% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.5%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 an increase of 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was China ($1,037 per ton), while Iraq ($62 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Canada (+5.8%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Siliceous Fossil Meals (Kieselguhr, Tripolite and Diatomite)

Global exports of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) fell modestly to 258K tons in 2022, with a decrease of -1.8% against 2021 figures. In general, exports saw a perceptible setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 27%. Over the period under review, the global exports of attained the peak figure at 424K tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, exports of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) amounted to $158M in 2022. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 14% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports of reached the maximum at $169M in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports By Country

In 2022, the United States (65K tons), distantly followed by Germany (33K tons), China (29K tons), France (27K tons), Argentina (14K tons), Portugal (14K tons) and Russia (13K tons) were the key exporters of siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite), together committing 75% of total exports. The following exporters - Canada (8.6K tons), Iran (8K tons), Spain (7.9K tons), Peru (5.8K tons), Belgium (4.1K tons) and the Czech Republic (4.1K tons) - together made up 15% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Canada (with a CAGR of +55.3%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest siliceous fossil meal (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) supplying countries worldwide were the United States ($44M), Germany ($23M) and France ($18M), together comprising 54% of global exports. China, Belgium, Canada, Peru, Spain, Russia, Argentina, Iran, Portugal and the Czech Republic lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 32%.

Canada, with a CAGR of +60.9%, saw 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 export price for siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) amounted to $613 per ton, growing by 2% against the previous year. Overall, export price indicated tangible growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, export price for siliceous fossil meals (kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) increased by +66.9% against 2016 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 an increase of 29%. The global export price peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Belgium ($1,395 per ton), while Portugal ($123 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Belgium (+3.9%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform