Feldspar market in Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The feldspar market in Asia expanded from 11.8 million metric tons in 2018 to 17.8 million metric tons in 2020. This growth was driven by strong demand from the glassmaking and ceramics sectors, fueled by high construction spending in China, which reached approximately $1.9 trillion in 2018. In 2019, rising need for ceramic tiles and automotive glass in developing economies continued to push consumption upward. Although the COVID-19 pandemic caused a temporary industrial slowdown in early 2020, a rapid recovery starting in the second quarter resumed feldspar demand for construction and manufacturing.

Market volume continued to rise, reaching 22.8 million metric tons in 2022. The Asia-Pacific region consolidated its dominant position, accounting for over 47% of global volume, sustained by steady demand from the glass and ceramics industries. By 2023, investments were announced for high-purity feldspar extraction projects, and new applications emerged in solar glass and advanced electronics ceramics, indicating ongoing market evolution.

In 2023 and 2024, imports fell to 591 thousand tons while exports grew to 5.8 million tons, reflecting enhanced domestic production capacity. This shift was supported by investments in mining infrastructure and the discovery of new feldspar deposits, as well as a growing focus on sustainability and regulatory compliance for high-purity materials.

Production feldspar in Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of feldspar, 2017-2020

World map of production of feldspar, 2017-2020

Asia's feldspar production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 23 119 thousand tons of feldspar, representing a 7.4% increase from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 36.2%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 10.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Asia's feldspar production value has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 972.8 million US dollars, showing a significant 23.2% improvement compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value grew by 72.6%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 19.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports feldspar from Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, Asia's feldspar export volume declined. In 2020, the region exported 6 097 thousand tons, down 17.9% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 12.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.5%. The peak was in 2019 at 7 431 thousand tons, which also saw the largest increase of 3.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Spain, and Russia were the primary markets for Asia's feldspar exports in volume terms. Italy accounted for 31.4% of exports, Spain for 29.8%, and Russia for 3.4%, together making up 64.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of increase, the value of feldspar exports from Asia fell. In 2020, export value totaled 256.5 million US dollars, a 5.8% drop from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 10.3%, averaging a 3.3% annual rate. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 272.4 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 11.4%.

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

During 2017-2020, Italy, Spain, and Russia led as destinations for Asia's feldspar exports in value terms. Italy represented 26.7% of exports, Spain 25.5%, and Russia 3.5%, collectively accounting for 55.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports feldspar to Asia

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Asia's feldspar import volume reached 730 thousand tons, a 2.5% increase year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 32.1%, with an annualized decline of 12.1%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 712 thousand tons, while the highest was in 2018 at 1 189 thousand tons. The largest decrease occurred in 2019 at 40.1%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 10.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia, Zimbabwe, and Spain were key sources for feldspar imports to Asia in volume terms. Russia contributed 1.5% of imports, Zimbabwe 1.2%, and Spain 1.2%, together representing 3.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Asia's feldspar import value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 112.1 million US dollars, a modest 8.0% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports dropped by 32.9%, with a compound annual decline of 12.5%. The peak value was in 2018 at 170.1 million US dollars, with the largest decline in 2019 at 28.4% and the largest increase in 2018 at 1.8%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Zimbabwe, Spain, and Russia were the main sources for feldspar imports to Asia in value terms. Zimbabwe accounted for 9.3% of imports, Spain for 1.5%, and Russia for 1.4%, jointly making up 12.2% of total import flows.

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

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