Barytes market in Central Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The production and market volume of natural barium sulphate in Central Asia expanded significantly between 2018 and 2022. Output rose from 420 thousand tonnes to 650 thousand tonnes, while the domestic market size increased from 297 thousand tonnes to 506 thousand tonnes. This growth was interrupted in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains and dampened demand, causing a temporary decline. The industry's foundation was supported by key barite deposits, such as the Badamskoye field in Kazakhstan, which provided raw material for production.

Following the pandemic, the market recovered and continued its upward trajectory. Demand for barytes remained robust, particularly from the oil and gas industry where it is used in drilling fluids, as noted in 2024. The market's orientation toward domestic consumption helped buffer it from external volatility and sustained production growth.

In more recent years, geopolitical tensions, currency fluctuations, and international sanctions affected barytes trade, potentially influencing export flows. Additionally, changes in energy tariffs within the region, such as those for natural gas and electricity in Uzbekistan, could have impacted production costs for chemical manufacturers.

Production barytes in Central Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of barytes, 2017-2020

World map of production of barytes, 2017-2020

In 2020, Central Asia produced 445.3 thousand tons of barytes, marking a significant decline of 16.1% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 21.9%, which translates to an annualized rate of 7.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 420.0 thousand tons. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 26.3%, while the largest increase was observed in 2019, also at 26.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of barytes output in Central Asia was 75.2 million US dollars, representing a year-over-year decrease of 28.9%. From 2017 to 2020, production value fell by 39%, equating to an annualized rate of 15.2%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 14.7%.

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

Exports barytes from Central Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Following a two-year period of growth, barytes exports from Central Asia declined. In 2020, exports totaled 119.8 thousand tons, down by 32.7% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 17.2%, with an annualized growth rate of 5.4%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2019 at 177.9 thousand tons, which also saw the largest increase of 41.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia, Azerbaijan, and China were consistently the main destinations for barytes exports in kind. Russia accounted for 42.6% of exports, Azerbaijan for 14.3%, and China for 2.3%. Together, these three countries represented 59.3% 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

After a two-year upward trend, foreign barytes supplies from Central Asia declined. In 2020, Central Asia exported 20 226 thousand US dollars worth of barytes, experiencing a sharp drop of 43.0% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 8.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.9%. The highest export value was recorded in 2019 at 35 464 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 28.0%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Russia, Azerbaijan, and China remained the three largest markets for barytes exports in value terms. Together, they accounted for 50.1% of total export flows.

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 barytes to Central Asia

Imports in kind, K t

The market showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 10.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Central Asia's barytes imports totaled 2.2 thousand tons, representing a dramatic decline of 75.1% from 2019. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 8.8 thousand tons, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 319.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iran, China, and Turkey were the largest contributors to barytes imports in kind. Iran accounted for 28.1% of imports, China for 17.0%, and Turkey for 1.1%. Collectively, these three countries represented 46.2% of total import flows.

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

Market behavior was characterized by volatility during these years. Imports were at their lowest in 2017 and reached their highest in 2018, reflecting a 3-fold gap. In 2020, barytes imports to Central Asia amounted to 748 thousand US dollars, marking a moderate drop of 5.9% compared to 2019. The peak import value was recorded in 2018 at 953 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 16.6%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 198.0%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, China, Iran, and Turkey formed the key group of partners for barytes imports in value terms to Central Asia. China accounted for 28.6% of imports, Iran for 4.3%, and Turkey for 3.8%. Together, these three countries represented 36.8% of total import 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