Global Lead Market 2023

Lead Market Size

The global lead market was finally on the rise to reach $X in 2021, after two years of decline. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the global market hit record highs at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Lead Production

In value terms, lead production expanded markedly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the production volume increased by 29% against the previous year. Global production peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Lead Exports

Exports

In 2021, overseas shipments of lead were finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, lead exports soared to $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

South Korea (X tons), Australia (X tons), Canada (X tons), India (X tons), Belgium (X tons), the UK (X tons), Germany (X tons), Russia (X tons), Mexico (X tons), China (X tons), Kazakhstan (X tons) and Bulgaria (X tons) represented roughly 62% of total exports in 2021. Nigeria (X tons) took a little share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for China (with a CAGR of +39.8%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Australia ($X), South Korea ($X) and Germany ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, with a combined 26% share of global exports. The UK, Canada, India, Belgium, Russia, China, Mexico, Kazakhstan, Bulgaria and Nigeria lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 40%.

In terms of the main exporting countries, China, with a CAGR of +38.6%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average lead export price amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 15% against the previous year. Overall, the export price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of 20% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2018 to 2021, the average export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per ton), while Nigeria ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Kazakhstan (+1.7%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Lead Imports

Imports

In 2021, after three years of decline, there was significant growth in supplies from abroad of lead, when their volume increased by 15% to X tons. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. Over the period under review, global imports hit record highs at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, lead imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 35%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of global imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, the United States (X tons), distantly followed by India (X tons), Germany (X tons), Vietnam (X tons), the UK (X tons), the Czech Republic (X tons), South Korea (X tons) and Turkey (X tons) were the key importers of lead, together achieving 61% of total imports. Spain (X tons), Poland (X tons), Brazil (X tons), Thailand (X tons) and Italy (X tons) took a little share of total imports.

Imports into the United States increased at an average annual rate of +6.4% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, the Czech Republic (+12.7%), Vietnam (+9.6%), Poland (+9.1%), Turkey (+5.2%), Germany (+4.5%), South Korea (+3.0%), India (+2.2%) and Brazil (+1.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, the Czech Republic emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +12.7% from 2012-2021. The UK experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Spain (-1.1%), Thailand (-1.4%) and Italy (-1.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of the United States, the Czech Republic and Vietnam increased by +5.5, +3.2 and +2.7 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United States ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported lead worldwide, comprising 18% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the UK ($X), with a 7.2% share of global imports. It was followed by India, with a 6.9% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in the United States totaled +7.6%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the UK (+0.0% per year) and India (+2.5% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average lead import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 18% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the average import price increased by 20%. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in the UK ($X per ton) and Italy ($X per ton), while South Korea ($X per ton) and the United States ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Italy (+1.6%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform

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