Barytes market in Algeria

Earlier Report Observations

The Algerian market for natural barium sulphate experienced significant fluctuations from 2018 to 2022. Market volume reached 139.7 thousand tonnes in 2018, supported by growing demand in the oil and gas industry for drilling fluids, as well as in plastics, rubber, and other sectors. However, in 2019, the enactment of a law introducing a 10% royalty on extracted hydrocarbons indirectly reduced demand in the petroleum sector, contributing to a drop in market volume to 120.7 thousand tonnes. Then, in 2020, market volume sharply contracted to 63.1 thousand tonnes, partly due to supply chain disruptions linked to Solvay's sale of its barite processing business, which affected global product availability.

From 2021, the market began to recover. The development of specialized products such as BariNit® for the automotive industry stimulated demand, helping to increase market volume to 80.4 thousand tonnes. In 2022, growth continued to 88.8 thousand tonnes, driven by expanded use of barium sulphate in protective concretes for X-ray and gamma radiation shielding in construction and healthcare.

After 2022, market volume data is not available, but imports remained substantial. In 2023, imports reached 95.0 thousand tonnes, possibly linked to increased use of barium nitrate in pyrotechnics, boosting demand for raw barium sulphate. In 2024, imports fell to 61.8 thousand tonnes, while demand persisted in the oil and gas sector, and strict environmental regulations continued to affect enrichment processes.

Production barytes in Algeria

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Algeria ranked as the 19th largest producer of barytes globally.

Top producers of barytes, 2017-2020

World map of production of barytes, 2017-2020

Algeria's barytes production rebounded after a two-year decline. In 2020, output reached 32 940 tonnes, marking a 5.8% increase from the previous year. However, over the full 2017–2020 period, production fell by 26.5%, averaging an annual decline of 9.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 31 138 tonnes, which also saw the steepest yearly drop of 21.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Algeria in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports barytes from Algeria

According to market analysis, Algeria did not export any barytes from 2017 through 2020.

Imports barytes to Algeria

Imports in kind, K t

Algeria's barytes imports declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 30.2 thousand tonnes, a sharp 66.3% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017–2020 span, imports dropped by 60.6%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 26.7%. The highest import volume was in 2018 at 100.3 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest yearly increase of 31.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Tunisia and Morocco accounted for 86.8% of Algeria's total barytes imports by volume, with the remainder spread across other sources, each contributing smaller shares.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market showed significant volatility during this period, with a fourfold difference between the peak and trough from 2018 to 2020. In 2020, the value of barytes imports into Algeria was 3 545 thousand US dollars, a sharp 70.9% year-on-year decline. The peak value occurred in 2018 at 14 215 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 23.3%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Tunisia was the dominant source for Algeria's barytes imports in value terms, holding a 72.1% share of total imports, while other markets contributed relatively modest amounts.

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

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