Eastern Europe: Refined Lead Market 2024

Refined Lead Market Size in Eastern Europe

In 2022, the East European refined lead market increased by 2.5% to $X, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. Overall, consumption, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Refined Lead Production in Eastern Europe

In value terms, refined lead production reduced slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 39%. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Refined Lead Exports

Exports in Eastern Europe

In 2022, shipments abroad of refined lead (unwrought) decreased by -8.1% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 25%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, refined lead exports declined to $X in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 35%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Russia (X tons) and Bulgaria (X tons) represented roughly 70% of total exports in 2022. Poland (X tons) held the next position in the ranking, distantly followed by Romania (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 22% share of total exports. The following exporters - Estonia (X tons) and the Czech Republic (X tons) - together made up 5.6% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exporting countries, was attained by Estonia (with a CAGR of +5.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Bulgaria ($X), Russia ($X) and Poland ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 86% share of total exports. Romania, Estonia and the Czech Republic lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 12%.

Among the main exporting countries, Estonia, with a CAGR of +6.6%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Eastern Europe stood at $X per ton in 2022, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the export price increased by 25%. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, major exporting countries recorded the following prices: in the Czech Republic ($X per ton) and Poland ($X per ton), while Russia ($X per ton) and Estonia ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Romania (+1.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Refined Lead Imports

Imports in Eastern Europe

In 2022, approx. X tons of refined lead (unwrought) were imported in Eastern Europe; therefore, remained relatively stable against 2021 figures. Total imports indicated a resilient increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +33.0% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 32%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, refined lead imports rose slightly to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated a resilient increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +7.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +49.5% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 50%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, the Czech Republic (X tons) was the key importer of refined lead (unwrought), comprising 56% of total imports. Poland (X tons) held a 21% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Bulgaria (7%) and Romania (5.9%). Hungary (X tons), Russia (X tons) and Belarus (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to refined lead imports into the Czech Republic stood at +13.1%. At the same time, Belarus (+18.1%), Bulgaria (+14.9%), Poland (+5.4%), Romania (+4.9%) and Russia (+4.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Belarus emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Eastern Europe, with a CAGR of +18.1% from 2012-2022. Hungary experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. The Czech Republic (+25 p.p.) and Bulgaria (+3.7 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Poland and Hungary saw its share reduced by -2.8% and -3.1% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the Czech Republic ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported refined lead (unwrought) in Eastern Europe, comprising 54% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Poland ($X), with a 23% share of total imports. It was followed by Bulgaria, with a 7.4% share.

In the Czech Republic, refined lead imports expanded at an average annual rate of +12.9% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Poland (+6.5% per year) and Bulgaria (+16.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Eastern Europe stood at $X per ton in 2022, surging by 1.6% against the previous year. In general, the import price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 28%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2018 to 2022, the import prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in Hungary ($X per ton) and Romania ($X per ton), while Russia ($X per ton) and the Czech Republic ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Bulgaria (+1.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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