Feldspar market in Algeria

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2022, the feldspar market volume in Algeria fluctuated, starting at 255.7 thousand tonnes in 2018. The introduction of import licenses by executive decree in September 2018 established a framework for regulating inflows but did not prevent stable imports in 2019. The situation changed in 2020 with the official launch of the Ain Barbar feldspar mining project, aimed at cutting imports by over 80 thousand tonnes per year. This led to a drop in imports and market volume to 227.4 thousand tonnes in 2020.

In 2021, the publication of measures to facilitate payments and licensing for mineral products temporarily boosted imports, raising market volume to 249.3 thousand tonnes. However, by 2022, the update of import-export license regimes and directives to accelerate the commissioning of local processing plants reinforced the focus on domestic production. Imports fell to 43.3 thousand tonnes, and market volume declined to 213.3 thousand tonnes, reflecting a shift toward greater self-sufficiency.

In subsequent years, Algeria continued to develop local extraction, with the announcement of the Tizi-Ouzou mine in 2023 and the inauguration of the Ain Barbar plant in July 2024 with a capacity of 90 thousand tonnes per year. These steps marked a strategic transition from import to export, with first shipments of feldspar abroad in 2024.

Production feldspar in Algeria

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Algeria was one of the world's leading producers of feldspar, ranking 21st globally by production volume.

Top producers of feldspar, 2017-2020

World map of production of feldspar, 2017-2020

In 2020, Algeria produced 170.0 thousand tons of feldspar, showing minimal change from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 0.0%, while the largest increase was also recorded in 2018, at 0.0%.

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

Exports feldspar from Algeria

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, feldspar exports from Algeria reached 4 000 tons, a 152.4% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 21 074 784.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5 851.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Tunisia was the primary destination for feldspar exports from Algeria, consistently accounting for 100.0% of total exports in volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, feldspar exports from Algeria totaled 114 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp rise of 216.3% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 6 443 526.6%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 3 909.1%.

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

During 2017–2020, feldspar exports from Algeria in value terms were highly concentrated on Tunisia, which accounted for 99.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports feldspar to Algeria

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year increase, feldspar imports into Algeria declined. In 2020, Algeria imported approximately 61 438 tons of feldspar, a 29.4% contraction compared to 2019. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 87 049 tons, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 46.7%. Overall, between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 5.2%, with an annualized rate of 1.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, two markets—Spain and Turkey—dominated feldspar imports into Algeria in volume, jointly accounting for 100.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Feldspar imports into Algeria declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 3 241 thousand US dollars, indicating a 41.6% decrease compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 5 585 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase also in 2018 at 7.0%. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 37.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 14.7%.

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

In 2017–2020, Spain was the almost exclusive supplier of feldspar to Algeria in value terms, taking 90.6% of total imports.

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

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