Crude and rifted sheets or splittings mica market in CIS

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the Russian mica market reached 10 424 t, supported by substantial imports and dominated by state-owned companies like AO MRU and AO Malyshevskoye Rudoupravleniye. The import substitution policy initiated that year led to a sharp import contraction in 2019, reducing the market volume to 6 543 t. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused supply chain disruptions, but the market grew slightly to 6 841 t as state-owned enterprises adapted by boosting domestic production.

The market volume continued to decline, falling to 5 928 t in 2021 despite rising production, largely due to a surge in exports driven by new product segments for high-tech industries. Sanctions and geopolitical factors in 2022 severely restricted imports and caused material shortages, leading to a further drop in market volume to 3 607 t. New labeling and traceability rules were introduced to combat counterfeit goods.

In 2023, demand for imported mica rose, pushing imports to 3 180 t despite ongoing import substitution efforts, with import prices increasing by 17%. By 2024, tightened import controls and updated packaging and labeling requirements contributed to a decrease in imports to 1 069 t, while exports also fell to 2 245 t, reflecting the persistent impact of sanctions and policies favoring domestic producers.

Production crude and rifted sheets or splittings mica in CIS

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of crude and rifted sheets or splittings mica, 2017-2020

World map of production of crude and rifted sheets or splittings mica, 2017-2020

In 2020, CIS countries produced 4,654 tonnes of crude and rifted sheets or splittings mica, marking a significant year-over-year decline of 18.2%. Production reached its lowest point in 2018 at 4,465 tonnes, then peaked in 2019 at 5,689 tonnes, representing the largest annual increase of 27.4%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 10.8%, which translates to an average annual decline of 3.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in CIS in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports crude and rifted sheets or splittings mica from CIS

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed considerable volatility during this period. The lowest exports were recorded in 2018 at 147 tonnes, while the highest occurred in 2017, creating a 2.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, CIS exports of crude and rifted sheets or splittings mica totaled 273 tonnes, a significant decrease of 14.1% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was observed in 2018 at 55.5%, followed by the largest increase in 2019 at 115.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for CIS exports of crude and rifted sheets or splittings mica in volume terms were China, accounting for 51.3% of exports, Belgium with 28.7%, and Latvia at 1.8%. Together, these three countries represented 81.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values displayed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 74 thousand US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2017, resulting in a 3.7-fold difference. In 2020, CIS exports of crude and rifted sheets or splittings mica amounted to 147 thousand US dollars, a slight decrease of 3.2% from 2019. The largest decline was in 2018 at 73.1%, followed by the largest increase in 2019 at 105.0%.

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

During 2017–2020, the key destinations for CIS exports of crude and rifted sheets or splittings mica in value terms were Belgium, representing 40.6% of exports, China at 31.7%, and Latvia with 3.9%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 76.2% of total export value.

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

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

Imports crude and rifted sheets or splittings mica to CIS

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes experienced irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. The minimum was recorded in 2019 at 1,172 tonnes, while the maximum occurred in 2018 at 6,106 tonnes, showing a 5.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, CIS imports of crude and rifted sheets or splittings mica reached 2,460 tonnes, a substantial increase of 110.0% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was in 2019 at 80.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Madagascar and India were the dominant sources for CIS imports of crude and rifted sheets or splittings mica in volume terms, with other countries accounting for the remaining share.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Import values exhibited an unstable trend throughout the period. The lowest value was in 2019 at 1,636 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 4,997 thousand US dollars, representing a 3.1-fold difference. In 2020, CIS imports of crude and rifted sheets or splittings mica totaled 2,273 thousand US dollars, a significant increase of 39.0% from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 67.3%.

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

Over 2017–2020, India and Madagascar were the dominant sources for CIS imports of crude and rifted sheets or splittings mica in value terms, jointly accounting for 93.9% of total import value, while smaller markets made up the remainder.

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

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