Chalk market in Poland

Earlier Report Observations

The chalk market in Poland expanded from 1 306 thousand tons in 2018 to 1 749 thousand tons in 2020, driven initially by a surge in mortgage lending as sales grew 20% amid low interest rates and rising household incomes, which stimulated construction activity. Growth accelerated sharply in 2021, with the market volume jumping 60% to 2 806 thousand tons, supported by stable mortgage portfolio quality and high household debt levels that sustained demand for building materials.

However, market growth slowed to 11% in 2022, reaching 3 119 thousand tons, as high inflation, rising interest rates, and the introduction of a macroprudential buffer by the Financial Supervision Authority tightened credit availability and caused many consumers to postpone housing plans. The market then contracted by 11% to 2 782 thousand tons in 2023, influenced by a demographic decline in the adult population and a reduction in overall household debt on the credit market.

In 2024, the market stabilized at 2 791 thousand tons despite record new loan issuance and an increase in high-value mortgage loans, indicating a pause in the previous expansion cycle.

Production chalk in Poland

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2019, Poland's chalk production value was 60,400 K $ US, which declined by 6.0% from the previous year. However, production rebounded in 2020, reaching 64,052 K $ US, a 6.1% increase over 2019. The peak value occurred in 2018 at 64,185 K $ US, marking a substantial 50.9% rise from 2017. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 50.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 14.6%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Poland's chalk production has been on an upward trend for three consecutive years. In 2020, the country produced 1,956 K t of chalk, representing a 19.3% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production surged by 87.4%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 23.3%.

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

Exports chalk from Poland

Exports in kind, K t

Poland's chalk exports have grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country exported 257.9 K t of chalk, a dramatic 649.1% increase from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports expanded by 1,836.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 168.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Poland's chalk exports in volume terms were heavily concentrated on Czechia, which accounted for 71.8% of total flows. The remaining volume was distributed among other trading partners.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Chalk exports from Poland have increased for three consecutive years. In 2020, exports totaled 5,109 K $ US, up 42.3% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value rose by 250.2%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 51.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Lithuania, Czechia, and Ukraine—collectively represented 67.1% of Poland's total chalk export value.

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

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

Imports chalk to Poland

Imports in kind, K t

Poland's chalk imports have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume stood at 51.5 K t, down 13.2% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 65.4%, with an average annual decline of 29.8%.

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

During 2017-2020, Germany, Denmark, and Estonia were the primary sources for Poland's chalk imports in volume terms, with shares of 42.1%, 32.3%, and 6.4%, respectively. Together, they accounted for 80.8% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, Poland's chalk imports increased in 2020. The import value reached 6,634 K $ US, a modest 2.0% rise from 2019. However, over the full 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 20.1%, with an average annual decrease of 7.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 6,507 K $ US, following a significant 11.7% drop in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, France, and Slovenia led as the top suppliers of chalk to Poland in value terms, with shares of 29.9%, 18.2%, and 16.8%, respectively. Combined, they made up 64.9% of total import value.

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

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