Barytes market in CIS

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the CIS barytes market expanded from 628 thousand tonnes to 760 thousand tonnes. This growth was initially shaped by a monopolized production structure where a large state-owned company controlled natural raw material supply. Increasing demand from key consumers, particularly in the oil and gas sector, provided a steady driver. In 2020, a rebound in sales during the fourth quarter, linked to post‑COVID‑19 recovery, contributed to the annual volume increase.

Between 2021 and 2022, market size continued to rise, reaching 910 thousand tonnes by 2022. Sustained demand from the oil, gas and chemical industries remained the primary force, even as Western sanctions and geopolitical risks tightened, affecting import and export flows. The market demonstrated resilience, growing despite these external pressures that regulated trade.

Into 2023 and 2024, reported industry factors pointed to ongoing influences: sanctions, currency fluctuations and persistent oilfield demand continued to regulate trade and production. In 2024, output growth of natural barium sulphate in Russia reflected maintained demand and operational support within the sector.

Production barytes in CIS

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of barytes, 2017-2020

World map of production of barytes, 2017-2020

In 2019, CIS barytes production reached its peak at 758.6 thousand tons, but then declined to 732.3 thousand tons in 2020, marking a 3.5% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 2.1%, with an average annual decline of 0.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 583.0 thousand tons, which represented a significant 22.0% drop. However, 2019 saw a sharp rebound with a 30.1% increase.

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

Exports barytes from CIS

Exports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Barytes exports from CIS reached their highest point in 2019 at 147.8 thousand tons, but then plummeted to 45.4 thousand tons in 2020, representing a dramatic 69.3% decrease from the previous year. This created a 3.3-fold difference between the peak and the lowest point. The year 2019 also saw the largest increase in exports at 214.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkmenistan and China formed the core group of markets for CIS barytes exports in volume terms, together accounting for 28.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, CIS barytes exports in value terms declined in 2020, reaching 21 788 thousand US dollars, which represents a sharp 40.4% year-over-year reduction. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 5%, translating to an average annual decline of 1.7%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 36 557 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase at 27.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Turkmenistan and China were the main destinations for CIS barytes exports in value terms, together accounting for 35.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports barytes to CIS

Imports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, CIS barytes imports in volume terms declined in 2020, totaling 72.8 thousand tons, which indicates a substantial 23.8% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 5.4%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 1.8%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 95.6 thousand tons, while 2018 saw the largest increase at 19.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading sources for CIS barytes imports in volume terms were Turkey (34.7% of imports), China (5.7% of imports), and Iran (2.0% of imports), which together accounted for 42.5% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

CIS barytes imports in value terms declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, totaling 22 095 thousand US dollars, representing a 2.7% decrease from 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 25 198 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase at 16.2%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 9.9%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Turkey (39.4% of imports in value terms), China (10.1% of imports in value terms), and the Netherlands (3.8% of imports in value terms) consistently held leading positions in the country structure of CIS barytes imports, together accounting for 53.3% of total import flows.

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

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