Fluorspar market in Americas

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, fluorspar production and market volume in the Americas increased, peaking at 1 264 thousand tons of production and 1 291 thousand tons of market size in 2019. This expansion was driven by sustained demand from the steel and aluminum industries, alongside its use in hydrofluoric acid manufacturing. However, a sharp contraction followed in 2020, with production falling to 944 thousand tons and market volume dropping to 762 thousand tons.

The market rebounded after 2020, with market volume recovering to 1 013 thousand tons in 2021 and stabilizing around 1 008 thousand tons in 2022. During this period, a growing focus on securing local supply chains in North America to reduce import dependency helped support domestic production and consumption.

Subsequent years saw pivotal developments: the U.S. government classified fluorspar as a critical mineral, spurring investments in local production. Construction began on the first acid-grade fluorspar plant in Utah with a capacity of 100 000 tons per year, while stringent zero-liquid-discharge environmental standards for processing plants were implemented. Simultaneously, supply chain disruptions from China—including revoked mining licenses and port delays—highlighted the importance of local sources for the American market.

Production fluorspar in Americas

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of fluorspar, 2017-2020

World map of production of fluorspar, 2017-2020

After two years of growth, fluorspar production in the Americas declined. In 2020, production reached 944 thousand tons, marking a 25.3% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 21.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.6%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1 264 thousand tons, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 56.3%.

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

Exports fluorspar from Americas

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Export volumes peaked in 2018 at 289.4 thousand tons and fell to their lowest point in 2019 at 52.3 thousand tons, representing a 5.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, fluorspar exports from the Americas amounted to 252.9 thousand tons, which is a 383.6% increase compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 81.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China and Turkey were the main markets for fluorspar exports from the Americas in volume terms, together accounting for 9.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, fluorspar exports from the Americas in value terms declined. In 2020, exports totaled 77.0 million US dollars, which is 29.4% lower than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 8.1%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 2.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 109.1 million US dollars, with the largest year-on-year increase also occurring in 2019 at 48.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China and Turkey remained the key destinations for fluorspar exports from the Americas in value terms, together representing 8.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports fluorspar to Americas

Imports in kind, K t

Fluorspar imports into the Americas declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 70.9 thousand tons, reflecting a 10.3% reduction compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 31.3%, equating to an annualized decline of 11.8%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 115.3 thousand tons. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 31.5%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 11.7%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Vietnam and China were the leading sources for fluorspar imports into the Americas in volume terms, together accounting for 50.6% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The value of fluorspar imports into the Americas declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, import value reached 26.5 million US dollars, which is 12.0% lower than the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 40.1 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 24.9%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 53.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam (41.1% of imports in value terms), China (8.0% of imports in value terms), and Spain (0.7% of imports in value terms) consistently served as the main sources for fluorspar imports into the Americas in value terms, together accounting for 49.7% of total import flows.

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

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