Feldspar market in Colombia

Earlier Report Observations

The Colombian feldspar market grew from 145.5 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 183.3 thousand tonnes in 2019, supported by increasing demand from the domestic ceramics industry. This upward trend was foreshadowed by a 6.5% rise in the value of feldspar imports from Mexico to Colombia in 2018, indicating stronger local consumption needs for ceramic and glass manufacturing.

Market volume contracted to 137.6 thousand tonnes in 2020 and further to 104.8 thousand tonnes in 2021, as the global COVID-19 pandemic disrupted industrial supply chains and reduced economic activity. The absence of major local policy shifts during these years left the market more susceptible to broader external shocks.

A strong recovery occurred in 2022, with market size rebounding to 170.2 thousand tonnes. This resurgence was primarily driven by growth in Colombia's construction sector, which increased demand for feldspar in ceramic tiles, sanitaryware, and glass products. The stability of import volumes in the following years reflects the continued importance of these industrial applications.

Production feldspar in Colombia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Colombia ranked 23rd globally in feldspar production.

Top producers of feldspar, 2017-2020

World map of production of feldspar, 2017-2020

In 2020, Colombia produced 134.8 K t of feldspar, marking a significant year-on-year decline of 25.2%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 10.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -3.6%. The peak was reached in 2019 at 180.2 K t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 27.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Colombia's feldspar output was valued at 15 394 K $ US, reflecting a sharp decrease of 15.3% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value dropped by 13.3%, with a CAGR of -4.6%. The lowest value occurred in 2018 at 14 722 K $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 17.1%. In contrast, 2019 recorded the highest value at 18 183 K $ US, with the largest increase of 23.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Colombia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports feldspar from Colombia

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Colombia's feldspar export volume was 650 t, showing a strong drop of 23.6% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 27.7%, equivalent to an annualized rate of -10.2%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 0.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ecuador was nearly the exclusive buyer of feldspar from Colombia, accounting for 98.8% of total exports in volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Colombia's feldspar export value declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 74 K $ US, down 13.5% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value fell by 30.1%, with a CAGR of -11.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Colombia's export dependence on Ecuador was pronounced, with this market representing 96.3% of total feldspar exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports feldspar to Colombia

Imports in kind, t

Colombia's feldspar import volume declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 3 428 t, a 12.6% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports dropped by 22.8%, equating to an annualized rate of -8.3%. The highest volume was in 2018 at 4 533 t, which also saw the largest increase of 2.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 13.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Colombia's feldspar imports in volume were largely oriented toward Spain and Mexico, whose combined share reached 85.5% of total flows, with other destinations playing a secondary role.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Foreign feldspar supplies to Colombia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import value totaled 741 K $ US, a 20.8% decrease year-on-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 19%, equivalent to an annualized rate of -6.8%. The peak value was in 2018 at 1 049 K $ US, which also recorded the largest increase of 14.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, two markets—Spain and the United States—played leading roles in Colombia's feldspar imports in value terms, together accounting for 80.4% of total flows, while the remainder was distributed among other destinations.

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

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