Slaked lime Market

The global slaked lime market is projected to experience an upward consumption trend over the next eight years, with a forecasted growth rate of +2.5% in volume and +5.9% in value from 2022 to 2030. The market is expected to reach 9.9M tons in volume and $2B in value by the end of 2030. Germany, Turkey, and Spain are the top consuming countries, while Italy, the UK, and Zambia lead in production and exports. Import prices are on the rise, with the UK and India commanding the highest prices in 2022.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for slaked lime worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +2.5% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 9.9M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +5.9% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $2B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Slaked lime

In 2022, approx. 8.1M tons of slaked lime were consumed worldwide; therefore, remained relatively stable against the year before. Over the period under review, consumption showed a resilient increase. As a result, consumption reached the peak volume of 8.6M tons. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of the global consumption remained at a somewhat lower figure.

The global slaked lime market revenue expanded slightly to $1.3B in 2022, with an increase of 2.7% 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). In general, consumption enjoyed buoyant growth. Over the period under review, the global market attained the maximum level in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were Germany (1.4M tons), Turkey (1.1M tons) and Spain (1.1M tons), with a combined 45% share of global consumption.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the key consuming countries, was attained by Turkey (with a CAGR of +78.5%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest slaked lime markets worldwide were Germany ($260M), Spain ($140M) and Turkey ($131M), with a combined 42% share of the global market.

In terms of the main consuming countries, Turkey, with a CAGR of +81.0%, 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.

The countries with the highest levels of slaked lime per capita consumption in 2022 were Oman (56 kg per person), Slovakia (37 kg per person) and Croatia (34 kg per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the key consuming countries, was attained by Turkey (with a CAGR of +76.0%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Slaked lime

Global slaked lime production reached 8M tons in 2022, almost unchanged from the year before. Over the period under review, production recorded a remarkable increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 193%. As a result, production reached the peak volume of 8.6M tons. From 2021 to 2022, global production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, slaked lime production expanded to $1.3B in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production enjoyed prominent growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the production volume increased by 180%. Over the period under review, global production hit record highs in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Germany (1.5M tons), Turkey (1.2M tons) and Spain (1.1M tons), together accounting for 47% of global production. France, Belgium, Oman, Italy, Malaysia, Greece, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Zambia and Croatia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 35%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the main producing countries, was attained by Italy (with a CAGR of +32.6%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Slaked lime

In 2022, global imports of slaked lime rose slightly to 1.3M tons, surging by 2.1% on the previous year. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when imports increased by 9.8%. Over the period under review, global imports hit record highs in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, slaked lime imports amounted to $252M in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when imports increased by 15%. Over the period under review, global imports reached the peak figure in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in years to come.

Imports By Country

The countries with the highest levels of slaked lime imports in 2022 were France (108K tons), Democratic Republic of the Congo (104K tons), Poland (80K tons), Germany (76K tons), the Philippines (76K tons), the United States (58K tons) and Singapore (57K tons), together accounting for 42% of total import. The Netherlands (35K tons), Hong Kong SAR (34K tons), Sweden (34K tons), Austria (30K tons), Finland (29K tons) and India (26K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Democratic Republic of the Congo (with a CAGR of +24.4%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest slaked lime importing markets worldwide were France ($25M), Singapore ($17M) and the Philippines ($16M), together accounting for 23% of global imports. Democratic Republic of the Congo, the United States, Germany, Poland, India, the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Hong Kong SAR and Austria lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 35%.

Among the main importing countries, Democratic Republic of the Congo, with a CAGR of +30.2%, recorded 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 slaked lime import price stood at $188 per ton in 2022, picking up by 11% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.3%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the average import price increased by 11%. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the peak figure in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was India ($327 per ton), while Hong Kong SAR ($95 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by India (+7.5%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Slaked lime

In 2022, after three years of decline, there was significant growth in shipments abroad of slaked lime, when their volume increased by 7% to 1.3M tons. Over the period under review, exports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when exports increased by 28%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of 1.6M tons. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of the global exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, slaked lime exports skyrocketed to $238M in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Over the period under review, the global exports hit record highs at $257M in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports By Country

Zambia (148K tons), Germany (104K tons), Malaysia (89K tons), the UK (75K tons), Belgium (68K tons), the Czech Republic (63K tons), Spain (61K tons), China (60K tons), Guatemala (41K tons), Slovakia (34K tons), Switzerland (34K tons) and France (33K tons) represented roughly 64% of total exports in 2022. Austria (30K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Zambia (with a CAGR of +74.3%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Zambia ($30M), the UK ($27M) and Germany ($20M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 32% share of global exports.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Zambia, with a CAGR of +61.5%, recorded the highest growth rate of 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 2022, the average slaked lime export price amounted to $189 per ton, increasing by 12% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.9%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the UK ($364 per ton), while Austria ($68 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+7.9%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform