Feldspar market in India

Earlier Report Observations

Feldspar production in India remained stable at approximately 4 300 thousand tons annually from 2018 to 2022. Over the same period, exports increased from 642 thousand tons to 696 thousand tons by 2022, with further growth to 918 thousand tons by 2024. This export expansion was driven by quality-focused processing, technological advancements in mineral beneficiation, and strong international demand from ceramic and glass industries in regions like the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

The domestic market volume experienced a slight decline from 3 670 thousand tons in 2018 to 3 606 thousand tons in 2022, partly due to the rising export share. Domestic demand from construction and ceramic sectors remained steady, but infrastructure constraints and high logistics costs in mining districts posed ongoing challenges. Regulatory stability improved with the classification of feldspar as a major mineral under the MMDR Act and the extension of mining leases to 50 years, supporting long-term production planning.

New market players such as Mactus Mineral LLP emerged as leading manufacturers, emphasizing high-purity potash and soda feldspar for advanced applications in electronics, enamel frits, and welding rods. The industry saw diversification into value-added segments like paints, plastics, and adhesives, broadening the consumption base beyond traditional ceramics and glass.

Production feldspar in India

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, India held the second position globally in feldspar production.

Top producers of feldspar, 2017-2020

World map of production of feldspar, 2017-2020

In 2020, India produced 4 300 K t of feldspar, showing minimal change from 2019. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 4 300 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 0.0%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 0.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, India's feldspar output was valued at 321.7 M $ US, representing a slight gain of 1.9% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 315.6 M $ US, with the largest decline that year at 2.7%.

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

Exports feldspar from India

Exports in kind, K t

India exported 684.0 K t of feldspar in 2020, marking a moderate advance of 7.8% compared to 2019. Over the period 2017-2020, exports increased by 33.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.2%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 1.2%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 25.7%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, the three largest markets for India's feldspar exports in kind were Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Indonesia, which together accounted for 62.2% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

India exported 51 177 K $ US of feldspar in 2020, showing a moderate advance of 9.9% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 31.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.7%. The largest decline was in 2019 at 1.1%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 21.5%.

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

Over 2017–2020, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Bangladesh consistently led India's feldspar exports in value terms, accounting for 25.3%, 18.8%, and 18.3% of total exports, respectively. Together, these three markets represented 62.4% of total flows.

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

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

Imports feldspar to India

Imports in kind, K t

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe, with a peak in 2017 and a trough in 2019, showing a 2.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, India's cross-border shipments of feldspar totalled 15.5 K t, which is 116.9% higher than the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 7.1 K t, with the largest decline that year at 40.7%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, China and Thailand were the primary sources for India's feldspar imports in kind, together accounting for 85.0% of total flows, while other markets formed a long tail.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

India's feldspar imports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, India imported a total of value_last_year} K $ US of feldspar, amounting to a slight fall of 2.3% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 42.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 16.7%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, China and Turkey concentrated most of India's feldspar imports in value terms, while other markets were less significant individually.

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

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