Barytes market in Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The European natural barium sulphate market saw a sharp contraction in 2019, with volume falling to 961 thousand metric tons and value dropping to $472.7 million US from significantly higher levels the previous year. Market volume then stabilized around 980-990 thousand metric tons through 2020 and 2021, while its value showed a modest recovery in 2021 after a further slight decline.

In 2022, the market volume expanded to over 1 000 thousand metric tons, and its value rose markedly to $568.0 million US. This growth was primarily driven by increased demand from key industrial sectors such as construction, automotive, paints, and coatings, which bolstered overall consumption. Concurrently, global supply chain disruptions and rising costs for raw materials and energy led to higher price levels, elevating the total market value. The market's structure also changed with the entry of a new significant player, Kandelium, established after Solvay divested its barium business, which brought an extensive network of active mines in Europe.

Production barytes in Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of barytes, 2017-2020

World map of production of barytes, 2017-2020

In 2020, Europe produced 491.9 thousand tonnes of barytes, marking a 3.9% increase compared to the previous year. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually fell by 33.6%, which translates to an average annual decline of 12.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 473.4 thousand tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 790.9 thousand tonnes. The most significant drop happened in 2019, when production decreased by 40.1%, whereas the largest rise was in 2018 with a 6.8% increase.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of barytes production in Europe reached 205.8 million US dollars, showing a modest 4.7% growth year-over-year. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, however, production value declined by 41.5%, averaging a 16.4% annual decrease. The minimum value was observed in 2019 at 196.6 million US dollars, while the maximum was in 2018 at 374.4 million US dollars. The sharpest decline occurred in 2019 with a 47.5% drop, and the largest increase was in 2018 with a 6.4% rise.

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

Exports barytes from Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, barytes exports from Europe saw a decline in 2020. That year, Europe exported 182.0 thousand tonnes of barytes, representing a significant 17.1% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports overall increased by 4.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.5%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 219.6 thousand tonnes, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 19.4% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, barytes exports from Europe were distributed across a wide range of markets. Norway accounted for 21.3% of exports in kind, Turkey for 1.4%, and India for 1.0%. Together, these three countries made up only 23.8% of total export flows, indicating a highly diversified market structure.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Barytes exports in Europe declined for the second year in a row in 2020. Export value that year stood at 76.1 million US dollars, reflecting a solid 16.5% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 7.7% overall, with an average annual decline of 2.6%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 98.2 million US dollars, and the largest increase also occurred in 2018 with a 19.0% rise.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, barytes exports from Europe in value terms showed a relatively even spread across markets. Norway represented 13.5% of exports in value, Turkey 2.7%, and Morocco 1.3%. Combined, these three countries accounted for just 17.6% of total export flows, highlighting the broad distribution of trade partners.

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

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

Imports barytes to Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Barytes imports into Europe declined for the second consecutive year in 2020. Europe imported approximately 679.7 thousand tonnes of barytes that year, marking a moderate 3.9% drop compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 5.1% overall, with an average annual growth rate of 1.7%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 762.6 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 7.2% decrease, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a 17.9% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for barytes imports into Europe in kind were Morocco, accounting for 24.4% of imports, China with 23.7%, and Kazakhstan at 5.8%. Together, these three countries represented 53.8% of total import flows, indicating a more concentrated market compared to exports.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The value of barytes imports into Europe fell for the second year in a row in 2020. Imports totalled 165.7 million US dollars that year, reflecting a gradual 6.0% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 2.7% overall, with an average annual growth rate of 0.9%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 199.9 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with an 11.7% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a 23.8% rise.

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

Over the 2017–2020 period, barytes imports into Europe in value terms were spread across a broad range of markets. China led with 26.9% of imports in value, followed by Morocco at 13.1%, and Turkey at 5.5%. Together, these three countries accounted for 45.5% of total import flows, showing a diverse but somewhat more focused sourcing pattern compared to exports.

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

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