Feldspar market in Northern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The feldspar market in Northern Africa saw its volume decline from 752.6 thousand tons in 2018 to 630.3 thousand tons in 2022, a reduction of over 120 thousand tons. This decline occurred despite a significant increase in domestic production over the same period.

Domestic feldspar production more than doubled, rising from 511.0 thousand tons to 963.3 thousand tons by 2022. However, a surge in exports, which grew from just 3.0 thousand tons to 553.4 thousand tons, outpaced this production growth. Combined with a gradual decrease in imports, this export expansion led to a smaller overall market size available for domestic consumption.

By 2024, exports had reached over 1 million tons, while imports fell to 147.7 thousand tons. The market context in 2024 was influenced by growing international interest in lithium exploration in North Africa, particularly in Morocco. Lithium is often found alongside feldspar in pegmatite deposits, and new investment and joint ventures in lithium mining could indirectly affect associated mineral markets like feldspar.

Production feldspar in Northern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of feldspar, 2017-2020

World map of production of feldspar, 2017-2020

Northern Africa's feldspar production rebounded after two consecutive years of decline. In 2020, the region produced 580.8 thousand tons, marking an 18.5% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 9.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 490.3 thousand tons, which also saw the largest annual decline of 4.1%.

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

Exports feldspar from Northern Africa

Exports in kind, K t

The market experienced significant volatility during this period. Feldspar export volumes from Northern Africa fluctuated dramatically, with a 34-fold difference between the peak in 2020 and the trough in 2018. In 2020, exports reached 100.1 thousand tons, representing a remarkable 585.0% year-over-year increase. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at just 3.0 thousand tons, which also saw the steepest decline of 55.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain and Portugal dominated Northern Africa's feldspar exports in volume terms, collectively accounting for 94.2% of total shipments.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited considerable volatility throughout these years. Export values fluctuated substantially, with a 28-fold difference between the high in 2020 and the low in 2018. In 2020, feldspar exports from Northern Africa totaled 2 788 thousand US dollars, representing a 539.2% increase compared to 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 99 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the most significant decline of 69.8%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Spain and Portugal formed a highly concentrated pair of markets for Northern Africa's feldspar exports in value terms, together capturing 90.2% of total flows.

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

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

Imports feldspar to Northern Africa

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Northern Africa's feldspar imports declined. In 2020, import volumes reached 218.7 thousand tons, reflecting an 11.8% decrease from 2019. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 247.9 thousand tons, which also saw the largest annual increase of 12.2%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Turkey and Spain accounted for 96.6% of Northern Africa's total feldspar imports in volume terms, with the remaining share distributed among various other markets with smaller individual contributions.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Northern Africa imported 16 634 thousand US dollars worth of feldspar, representing a 7.0% year-over-year decrease. Between 2017 and 2020, imports declined by 4.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.4%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 17 883 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 5.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey and Spain consistently represented 94.8% of Northern Africa's total feldspar imports in value terms, indicating a highly concentrated market structure alongside numerous smaller markets with minimal individual shares.

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

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