Chalk and dolomite market in Finland

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the chalk and dolomite market in Finland contracted consistently, with its total value falling from $12.3 million to $5.4 million. This decline was primarily driven by a sharp drop in imports, which decreased from $10.4 million to $2.3 million, while domestic production grew after 2020. The mild and frost-free winter of 2019-2020 altered agricultural liming schedules, shifting demand to the autumn after harvest and affecting market timing and volume.

Price factors further influenced the market, with the spreading cost of silicate lime in spring 2023 set at around €28.60 per tonne, affecting consumer choices and product competitiveness. By 2024, the market saw a slight recovery to $5.6 million, supported by growing emphasis on soil pH balancing and fertilizer efficiency. Increased consumer and farmer interest in soil quality management boosted demand for chalk powder and dolomite, with Nordkalk remaining a key supplier of quicklime and dolomite for industrial and agricultural applications.

Production chalk and dolomite in Finland

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Finland's chalk and dolomite production value rebounded after a two-year decline. In 2019, output hit its lowest point at 2,271 thousand US dollars, but then surged by 46.9% in 2020 to reach 3,335 thousand US dollars. The most significant drop occurred in 2018, with a 17.5% decrease. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 17.5%, averaging an annual increase of 5.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Finland in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Finland's chalk and dolomite production volume rose for the second year in a row. In 2018, output was at its minimum of 80.3 thousand tonnes, but it climbed by 27.0% in 2019 and then by another 17.3% in 2020 to reach 119.7 thousand tonnes. The largest decline was in 2018 at 13.9%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production expanded by 28.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.7%.

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

Exports chalk and dolomite from Finland

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of chalk and dolomite from Finland showed high volatility during these years. In 2019, shipments peaked at 2.7 thousand tonnes, marking an 86.5% increase, but then plummeted by 97.4% in 2020 to just 0.1 thousand tonnes. This resulted in a dramatic 38-fold difference between the high in 2019 and the low in 2020.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia and Sweden were the primary buyers of chalk and dolomite from Finland, together accounting for 98.0% of total export volumes. Other destinations each held relatively minor shares.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Chalk and dolomite export values from Finland fell for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports dropped sharply by 94.3% year-over-year to 22 thousand US dollars. Between 2017 and 2020, exports declined by 95.6%, with an average annual decrease of 64.7%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Russia was the main market for Finland's chalk and dolomite exports in value terms, consistently taking 90.7% of the total.

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

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

Imports chalk and dolomite to Finland

Imports in kind, K t

Imports of chalk and dolomite into Finland were highly volatile. In 2018, imports reached a maximum of 144.5 thousand tonnes, but then fell sharply by 98.6% in 2019 to a minimum of 2.0 thousand tonnes. In 2020, imports rebounded dramatically, surging by 4,253.6% to 86.2 thousand tonnes. This created a 73-fold swing from the peak in 2018 to the trough in 2019.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Denmark was the key source for Finland's chalk and dolomite imports in volume terms, representing 95.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Finland's chalk and dolomite import values declined for the second year in a row. In 2018, imports peaked at 10,436 thousand US dollars, with a 3.6% increase, but then dropped by 33.3% in 2020 to 6,568 thousand US dollars. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 34.8%, averaging an annual decline of 13.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Denmark dominated Finland's chalk and dolomite imports in value terms, accounting for 91.4% of the total, making it nearly the sole supplier.

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

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