Asbestos market in Central Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The asbestos market in Central Asia showed notable shifts between 2018 and 2020. The volume fell to 122.9 thousand tons in 2019 from 170.2 thousand tons a year earlier, a drop influenced by tightening environmental regulations and changing public opinion on asbestos safety in Kazakhstan, alongside strict controls in developed nations that dampened global demand. However, the market recovered to 158.7 thousand tons in 2020, underpinned by steady demand from Kazakhstan's construction and industrial sectors, which continued to consume asbestos products despite regulatory pressures.

Growth resumed from 2021 to 2022, with the market reaching 174.3 thousand tons. Major state-owned producers like AO Kostanay Minerals and PAO Uralasbest focused on export sales, shaping the supply structure. In 2023, a sharp 83.2% year-on-year production surge in Russia signaled renewed demand and market adaptation. By 2024, key developments included Russia's rollout of digital labeling for construction materials to fight counterfeits and the U.S. ban on chrysotile asbestos, which added new regulatory dynamics for the Central Asian region.

Production asbestos in Central Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of asbestos, 2017-2020

World map of production of asbestos, 2017-2020

Asbestos production in Central Asia has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 227.4 thousand tons of asbestos, representing a modest year-over-year increase of 7.9%. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 18%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 5.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Central Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The value of asbestos production in Central Asia has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 89 891 thousand US dollars, showing a moderate rise of 5.9% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 13.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 75 577 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 4.9%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the biggest increase of 12.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Central Asia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports asbestos from Central Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of asbestos from Central Asia have risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 160.3 thousand tons, a slight increase of 2.1% over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export volumes grew by 15.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Central Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, India, China, and Ukraine were the top contributors to asbestos exports in volume terms. India accounted for 28.1% of exports, China for 7.6%, and Ukraine for 5.2%. Together, these three countries represented 40.9% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Central Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of asbestos exports from Central Asia has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 63 365 thousand US dollars, showing only a minor fluctuation compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value rose by 10.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 54 734 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 4.3%. The biggest increase occurred in 2019, with a jump of 15.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Central Asia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The structure of asbestos exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 reveals a diversified set of trading partners. India accounted for 25.8% of export value, Ukraine for 6.6%, and Sri Lanka for 6.1%. Combined, these three countries made up 38.5% of total flows, while the remaining 61.5% was spread across numerous smaller markets.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Central Asia in value, 2017-2020

Imports asbestos to Central Asia

Imports in kind, K t

The import market for asbestos in Central Asia showed an unstable trend over the period. In 2020, the region imported 91.6 thousand tons, marking a sharp increase of 32.3% compared to the previous year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 114.3 thousand tons, which also saw the largest increase of 76.6%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the biggest decline of 39.4%. The lowest point was in 2017, with imports 1.8 times lower than the peak in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Central Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Russia and China were the leading sources of asbestos imports into Central Asia in volume terms. Russia accounted for 21.3% of total import flows, while China contributed 3.4%.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Central Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of asbestos imports into Central Asia reached 43 454 thousand US dollars, reflecting a modest year-over-year gain of 6.2%. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 21.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 53 340 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 49.2%. The biggest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 23.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Central Asia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Russia and China made the largest contributions to asbestos imports in value terms into Central Asia, together accounting for 30.8% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Central Asia in value, 2017-2020