Crude and rifted sheets or splittings mica market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for crude and rifted mica sheets in Eastern Asia began the period at 296 thousand tons in 2018. It contracted by 16% to 250 thousand tons the following year, primarily due to shifts in the international trade environment that increased import costs and reduced shipments. During this time, state-owned enterprises boosted investments in mica resources, driving production up by 18% to 121 thousand tons despite tighter environmental regulations that led to the closure of some smaller processors.

In 2020, the market stabilized near 246 thousand tons as COVID-19 supply chain disruptions limited raw material imports, prompting domestic producers to seek alternative sources. Government policies supporting manufacturing recovery helped maintain downstream demand. Consumption then jumped 19% to 293 thousand tons in 2021, fueled by growing demand for high-purity mica from the electronics and insulation industries, which spurred a surge in imports to 203 thousand tons.

The market fell sharply by 20% to 233 thousand tons in 2022. Soaring international energy prices raised production costs across the industry, squeezing output down to 85 thousand tons. New export control policies also affected trade flows, while consumer preference for sustainable materials encouraged a shift toward greener mica products.

Production crude and rifted sheets or splittings mica in Eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K 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 2019, Eastern Asia produced 121.4 thousand tons of crude and rifted sheets or splittings mica, marking the highest output during the period. However, production declined to 101.0 thousand tons in 2020, representing a significant contraction of 16.8% from the previous year. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 11.9%, which translates to an average annual decline of 4.1%. The largest increase in production occurred in 2019, with a notable rise of 17.9%.

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

Exports crude and rifted sheets or splittings mica from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of crude and rifted sheets or splittings mica from Eastern Asia grew for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 5.9 thousand tons—a 24.4% increase from 2019. Despite this recent uptick, exports fell by 17.8% overall between 2017 and 2020, averaging an annual decline of 6.3%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 4.1 thousand tons, which also saw the sharpest drop of 43.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom, Vietnam, and Indonesia were the primary destinations for exports in kind, collectively accounting for 78.1% of total flows. The United Kingdom led with 37.9% of exports, followed by Vietnam at 23.5% and Indonesia at 16.8%.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Exports of crude and rifted sheets or splittings mica from Eastern Asia increased in value for the third consecutive year in 2020, totaling 5 250 thousand US dollars. This figure showed minimal change compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export values rose by 69.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 19.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Kingdom, Vietnam, and Malaysia were the main destinations for exports in value terms, together representing 78.4% of total flows. The United Kingdom dominated with 66.9% of export value, while Vietnam contributed 7.4% and Malaysia 4.0%.

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

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

Imports crude and rifted sheets or splittings mica to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Imports of crude and rifted sheets or splittings mica into Eastern Asia experienced notable fluctuations from 2017 to 2020. The volume reached its lowest point in 2017, then surged to a peak of 197.5 thousand tons in 2018—a 4.8-fold increase. In 2020, imports totaled 150.7 thousand tons, up 13.4% from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 32.7%, while the most significant increase was in 2018, at 383.6%.

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

During 2017–2020, India and Madagascar were the leading sources for imports in kind, together accounting for 87.6% of total flows. The remaining imports were distributed among various other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of imported crude and rifted sheets or splittings mica in Eastern Asia amounted to 62 953 thousand US dollars, reflecting a slight increase of 2.1% from 2019. Over the four-year period from 2017 to 2020, import values grew by 4.0%, averaging an annual rise of 1.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 86 074 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 42.3%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 28.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India accounted for 76.1% of total imports in value terms, with the remainder shared among numerous other countries, each holding smaller individual shares.

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

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