Kaolin and kaolinic clays market in CIS

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the market volume of kaolin and kaolinic clays in the CIS increased from 2.5 million tons to 3.8 million tons, despite a minor decline in 2020. This growth was propelled by production expansion from leading companies such as Novokaolinovy GOK and Borovichsky Kombinat Ogneuporov, which invested in new capacity. Import substitution, accelerated by geopolitical tensions and sanctions, reduced reliance on imports, particularly from Ukraine. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted logistics and demand, but the market demonstrated resilience, resulting only in a temporary stabilization around 3.4 million tons.

In 2022, the market volume jumped to 6.2 million tons, a rise of over 60% year-on-year. This surge was directly caused by the halt of ceramic clay supplies from Ukraine due to the war, which compelled domestic producers to significantly increase output to fill the gap. Government support measures for local manufacturers further aided this expansion. Production remained at high levels in 2023, sustained by ongoing import substitution dynamics.

Production kaolin and kaolinic clays in CIS

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

Production of kaolin and kaolinic clays in the CIS has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, output reached 2 974 thousand tonnes, showing a modest 0.8% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production surged by 70.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 19.5%.

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

Exports kaolin and kaolinic clays from CIS

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited significant volatility during the observed period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 19-fold difference between these years. In 2020, CIS exports of kaolin and kaolinic clays totaled 8.3 thousand tonnes, representing a sharp 30.3% decline from the previous year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 12.0 thousand tonnes, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 461.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iran, Ukraine, and Turkmenistan were the leading destinations for exports in volume terms. Iran accounted for 24.1% of total exports, Ukraine for 2.0%, and Turkmenistan for 1.6%. Together, these three countries made up 27.7% of all export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed notable fluctuations throughout the period. The lowest value was recorded in 2017 and the highest in 2019, with a 4.2-fold variation between these years. In 2020, the value of kaolin and kaolinic clays exports from the CIS stood at 2 066 thousand US dollars, marking a 33.6% decrease compared to 2019. The peak value was reached in 2019 at 3 109 thousand US dollars, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 104.9%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Iran, Turkmenistan, and Ukraine were the key partners in value terms for exports. Iran dominated with 54.1% of total export value, followed by Turkmenistan at 1.7% and Ukraine at 1.6%. Collectively, these three countries represented 57.4% of all export flows.

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

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

Imports kaolin and kaolinic clays to CIS

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, kaolin and kaolinic clays imports into the CIS amounted to 433.4 thousand tonnes, reflecting a 20.4% drop from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 16.1%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 5.7%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 544.4 thousand tonnes, with the largest year-on-year increase also occurring in 2019 at 7.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the import market in volume terms was highly concentrated, with Ukraine alone responsible for 90.7% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After rising for two consecutive years, imports of kaolin and kaolinic clays into the CIS declined. In 2020, import value stood at 34 917 thousand US dollars, down 15.6% year-on-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 5.6%, with an average annual decline of 1.9%. The peak import value was recorded in 2019 at 41 382 thousand US dollars, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2019 at 9.7%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Ukraine, Brazil, and China were the three largest markets for imports in value terms. Together, they accounted for 79.2% of total import flows.

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

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