Quicklime Market

The global quicklime market is expected to see an increase in consumption, production, imports, and exports over the next eight years. Consumption has been relatively stagnant with slight declines in recent years, while production and trade are showing more promising growth. Countries like China, the United States, and Pakistan are leading in consumption and production, while France, Germany, and Malaysia are major exporters. Prices for quicklime are on the rise, both in imports and exports, indicating positive market growth in the immediate future.

Market Forecast

Driven by rising demand for quicklime worldwide, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +0.7% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 129M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +2.7% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $24.5B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Quicklime

After two years of growth, consumption of quicklime decreased by -0.2% to 122M tons in 2022. In general, consumption showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the consumption volume increased by 4.2% against the previous year. Global consumption peaked at 131M tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

The global quicklime market revenue stood at $19.8B in 2022, approximately reflecting 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). Overall, consumption continues to indicate a mild descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the market value increased by 6.8%. Global consumption peaked at $23.6B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (27M tons), the United States (14M tons) and Pakistan (6M tons), together accounting for 38% of global consumption. Russia, Brazil, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Ethiopia, Vietnam, the UK, Egypt and Canada lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 27%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the key consuming countries, was attained by Vietnam (with a CAGR of +4.6%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest quicklime markets worldwide were China ($3.4B), Japan ($3.1B) and the United States ($1.9B), together comprising 42% of the global market. Brazil, Pakistan, Germany, the UK, Mexico, Russia, Ethiopia, Canada, Vietnam and Egypt lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 25%.

In terms of the main consuming countries, Vietnam, with a CAGR of +6.2%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to market size over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The countries with the highest levels of quicklime per capita consumption in 2022 were Canada (55 kg per person), Germany (54 kg per person) and the United States (41 kg per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the leading consuming countries, was attained by Vietnam (with a CAGR of +3.6%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced a decline in the per capita consumption figures.

Production

World Production of Quicklime

In 2022, production of quicklime decreased by -0.8% to 122M tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Overall, production saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 4%. Global production peaked at 131M tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, quicklime production totaled $20.3B in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production continues to indicate a mild downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 5.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production reached the peak level at $24.3B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were China (27M tons), the United States (14M tons) and Pakistan (6M tons), together accounting for 38% of global production. Germany, Russia, Brazil, Japan, Mexico, Ethiopia, Vietnam, the UK, Egypt and Canada lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 28%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the leading producing countries, was attained by Vietnam (with a CAGR of +2.0%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Quicklime

In 2022, overseas purchases of quicklime increased by 6% to 7.8M tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when imports increased by 9.1%. Over the period under review, global imports attained the peak figure in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, quicklime imports surged to $1.1B in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports By Country

In 2022, the Netherlands (783K tons), followed by India (448K tons), Chile (444K tons), Germany (411K tons), Australia (398K tons), Finland (365K tons) and France (358K tons) represented the largest importers of quicklime, together achieving 41% of total imports. The following importers - Democratic Republic of the Congo (303K tons), Indonesia (299K tons), Taiwan (Chinese) (267K tons), the United States (258K tons), Sweden (233K tons) and Canada (221K tons) - together made up 20% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by Australia (with a CAGR of +31.7%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($85M), Finland ($85M) and Chile ($67M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 22% share of global imports. Germany, Australia, India, France, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sweden, the United States, Taiwan (Chinese), Indonesia and Canada lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 42%.

Australia, with a CAGR of +33.3%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

The average quicklime import price stood at $139 per ton in 2022, increasing by 14% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.5%. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Finland ($232 per ton), while the Netherlands ($109 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Taiwan (Chinese) (+6.7%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Quicklime

In 2022, global quicklime exports fell modestly to 7.4M tons, dropping by -4.8% against 2021. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 13%. Over the period under review, the global exports hit record highs at 7.8M tons in 2021, and then declined in the following year.

In value terms, quicklime exports skyrocketed to $1B in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when exports increased by 16%. Over the period under review, the global exports reached the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Exports By Country

In 2022, France (709K tons), Germany (705K tons), Malaysia (610K tons), Belgium (422K tons), Vietnam (346K tons), Argentina (342K tons), Oman (337K tons), Thailand (301K tons), Zambia (268K tons), the United Arab Emirates (256K tons), Norway (233K tons) and Canada (218K tons) was the major exporter of quicklime in the world, constituting 64% of total export. The United States (216K tons) took a minor share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Oman (with a CAGR of +49.6%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, France ($151M), Germany ($96M) and Malaysia ($66M) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 30% share of global exports. Belgium, Vietnam, Zambia, Oman, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, Argentina, Thailand, the United States and Norway lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 36%.

Among the main exporting countries, Oman, with a CAGR of +53.3%, recorded 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

The average quicklime export price stood at $139 per ton in 2022, surging by 21% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.4%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

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 France ($213 per ton), while Argentina ($86 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

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

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform