Kaolin and kaolinic clays market in Central Asia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2022, the Central Asian market for kaolin and kaolinic clays experienced substantial growth, with production more than doubling from 365.5 thousand tons to 959.3 thousand tons. This expansion was initially fueled by strong demand from developing economies in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly China, India, and Malaysia, which boosted regional output. Uzbekistan, as the leading kaolin producer within the CIS, played a key role in scaling up production to meet this demand.

After a minor contraction in 2020, the market rebounded sharply in 2021 and 2022. The surge in 2022, when production jumped by 70% to 959.3 thousand tons, was largely driven by import substitution efforts and trade restrictions in neighboring Russia, which increased demand for Central Asian kaolin. Global supply chain disruptions further accelerated this trend, leading to record export volumes of 106 thousand tons in 2022.

Following the peak in 2022, export levels remained high at 101.5 thousand tons in 2023 and 89.7 thousand tons in 2024, while imports stayed modest, indicating sustained international demand and a stable production base in the region.

Production kaolin and kaolinic clays in Central Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of kaolin and kaolinic clays, 2017-2020

World map of production of kaolin and kaolinic clays, 2017-2020

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Production reached its lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 3.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Central Asia produced 495.8 K t of kaolin and kaolinic clays, down by 5.8% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 526.6 K t. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with production surging by 143.7%.

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

Exports kaolin and kaolinic clays from Central Asia

Exports in kind, t

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 34-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Central Asia exported 6 732 t of kaolin and kaolinic clays, reflecting a measured reduction of 8.2% year-over-year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 7 330 t. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with exports jumping by 557.8%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Iran and Italy were the key markets for exports in kind. Iran accounted for 81.5% of total flows, while Italy contributed 1.5%, together forming 83.0% of total exports.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Export values reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 13.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Central Asia exported 1 139 K $ US of kaolin and kaolinic clays, reflecting a steep drop of 37.6% over the past year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 823 K $ US. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with export values surging by 577.6%.

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

In 2017–2020, kaolin and kaolinic clays from Central Asia were supplied almost exclusively to Iran, which absorbed 93.3% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports kaolin and kaolinic clays to Central Asia

Imports in kind, t

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during the period. Import volumes reached their minimum in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 2 times. In 2020, kaolin and kaolinic clays imports to Central Asia totalled 4 751 t, down by 12.0% year-over-year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 5 398 t. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with imports rising by 90.0%.

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

In 2017–2020, China concentrated most of imports in kind, taking 72.8% of total flows, with a fragmented tail of other markets.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Import values hit their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a swing of 2.2 times between these years. In 2020, Central Asia's kaolin and kaolinic clays imports amounted to 1 772 K $ US, showing a dramatic increase of 30.9% compared with 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 788 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with import values dropping by 4.3%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with import values rising by 71.9%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, China played the leading role in imports in value terms, with a share of 72.2% of total flows, while other markets together accounted for the rest.

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

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