Barytes market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The barytes market in Eastern Asia declined from 1.77 million tons in 2018 to 1.29 million tons in 2020. This contraction occurred as stricter environmental regulations began limiting production capacity and new entrants increased market competition. Despite reported growth in downstream demand from coatings and plastics industries, the internal market volume shrank, indicating a shift in supply patterns.

From 2021, the market stabilized and showed modest growth, reaching 1.31 million tons by 2022. Industry policy adjustments that strengthened quality standards and the launch of ultra-fine precipitated barium sulphate products for high-end applications supported this recovery. Technological advancements expanded application areas, while environmental requirements continued to shape production capabilities.

In the following years, the industry saw significant export volumes surpassing imports, with new product lines like nano-grade barytes gaining market share. Major companies invested in capacity expansion and product diversification, responding to sustained demand from coatings, plastics, and pharmaceuticals sectors.

Production barytes in Eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of barytes, 2017-2020

World map of production of barytes, 2017-2020

Eastern Asia's barytes production has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 1,700 thousand tonnes of barytes, which represents a 26.1% decrease compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 45.2%, with an average annual decline of 18.1%.

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

Exports barytes from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Barytes exports from Eastern Asia have also dropped for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 519 thousand tonnes, marking a 52.7% decrease year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 73.8%, which translates to an average annual decline of 36.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for barytes exports in kind were the United States, the Netherlands, and Saudi Arabia. Together, these countries accounted for 73.3% of total export flows during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Eastern Asia's barytes export value has declined for the third year running. In 2020, exports totaled 88.7 million US dollars, showing a sharp 37.6% drop from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 56.7%, with an average annual decline of 24.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the main markets for barytes exports in value terms were the United States, which accounted for 40.9% of exports, the Netherlands with 15.9%, and Italy with 4.6%. Combined, these three markets represented 61.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports barytes to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

The import market for barytes in Eastern Asia showed an unstable trend over the period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 4.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Eastern Asia imported 105 thousand tonnes of barytes, a 30.1% decrease from the previous year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 150 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 244.9%.

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

During 2017-2020, barytes imports in kind to Eastern Asia were relatively evenly distributed. Laos was the largest source, accounting for 31.5% of imports, followed by Myanmar with 8.5%, and Kyrgyzstan with 1.4%. Together, these three countries made up 41.4% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After increasing for two years, Eastern Asia's barytes import value declined in 2020. Imports totaled 22.1 million US dollars that year, down 19.6% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 23.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.4%. The peak was in 2019 at 27.4 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 39.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, barytes imports in value terms to Eastern Asia were not highly concentrated. Laos led with 16.5% of imports, followed by Spain at 1.9%, and Myanmar at 1.8%. Together, these three countries accounted for 20.2% of total import flows.

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

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