CMC and its salts market in Russia

Earlier Report Observations

The Russian market for carboxymethylcellulose and its salts showed notable fluctuations between 2018 and 2024. Market volume grew from 32.3 thousand tons in 2018 to 35.3 thousand tons in 2019, a period marked by rising imports, particularly from Turkey, China, and Finland, alongside increasing domestic production. The market then contracted to 31.7 thousand tons in 2020, before stabilizing near 31.4 thousand tons in 2021.

In 2022, market volume rebounded to 35.2 thousand tons, a period influenced by international sanctions and supply chain disruptions which reshaped import flows and reinforced Turkey's role as a leading supplier. This was followed by a significant correction in 2023, with the market declining to 29.3 thousand tons. A slight recovery to 29.6 thousand tons occurred in 2024, supported by growing demand from the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries, which also drove an increase in domestic production that year.

A persistent structural feature throughout the period was the lack of domestic production of high-purity CMC for food and pharmaceutical applications, sustaining reliance on imports for these segments. Domestic capacity for technical-grade CMC remained adequate, with the Southern Federal District consistently leading national production.

Production CMC and its salts in Russia

In kind, 2018-2021, t

In 2019, Russia's production of CMC and its salts reached its peak at 18 534 tons, marking a 7.1% increase from the previous year. However, production declined by 9.2% in 2020, dropping to 16 836 tons, the lowest level in the period. By 2021, output recovered to 17 563 tons, showing a 4.3% growth compared to 2020.

Annual dynamics of production in Russia in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports CMC and its salts from Russia

Exports in kind, t

Russia's exports of CMC and its salts experienced a significant decline in 2020, falling by 40.6% to 1 341 tons, the lowest point in the period. In 2021, exports rebounded strongly, increasing by 32.5% to 1 777 tons. Overall, from 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 24.2%, which translates to an annualized decline of 8.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Russia in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Latvia were the top three markets for Russia's exports of CMC and its salts in volume terms, collectively accounting for 82.7% of total shipments.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Russia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Russia's exports of CMC and its salts in value terms hit a low of 2 822 thousand US dollars, declining by 39.7% from the previous year. The following year, in 2021, exports surged by 58.0% to 4 459 thousand US dollars. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports decreased by 15.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -5.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Russia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Kazakhstan was the leading buyer of CMC and its salts from Russia in value terms, accounting for 55.5% of exports. Uzbekistan and Latvia followed with 14.1% and 13.5%, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 83.1% of Russia's total export value for these products.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Russia in value, 2018-2021

Imports CMC and its salts to Russia

Imports in kind, t

Imports of CMC and its salts into Russia peaked in 2019 at 18 715 tons, with a 5.2% increase from the previous year. After two consecutive years of decline, imports fell to 14 770 tons in 2021, down 11.7% from 2020. From 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 16.9%, averaging an annual decline of 6.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Russia in kind, 2018-2021, t

During 2018-2021, China, Turkey, and Finland were the primary sources for Russia's imports of CMC and its salts in volume terms. China contributed 37.7%, Turkey 35.1%, and Finland 12.0%, together making up 84.9% of total import volumes.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Russia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2019, imports of CMC and its salts into Russia in value terms reached their highest level at 37 139 thousand US dollars, showing a modest 1.2% increase. The following year, imports declined by 13.9%, and by 2021, they stood at 30 599 thousand US dollars, down 4.3% from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 16.6%, with a CAGR of -5.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Russia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, China, Turkey, and Finland dominated Russia's imports of CMC and its salts in value terms. China led with 41.0%, followed by Turkey at 21.3% and Finland at 11.8%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 74.1% of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Russia in value, 2018-2021