Kaolin and kaolinic clays market in Sri Lanka

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for kaolin and kaolinic clays in Sri Lanka declined from 16 639 tons in 2018 to 14 694 tons in 2020, as imports fell by over 13% over the two-year period. Domestic production remained steady at 2 000 tons annually, making the reduction in imports the sole driver of the smaller market.

A sharp 72% jump in imports to 21 951 tons in 2021 expanded the market to 23 951 tons. This was followed by a correction in 2022, with lower imports of 18 065 tons bringing the market size down to 20 064 tons. Import volumes continued to adjust after 2022, dropping to 12 119 tons in 2023 before partially recovering to 15 462 tons in 2024.

Production kaolin and kaolinic clays in Sri Lanka

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of kaolin and kaolinic clays, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, Sri Lanka produced 2,000 tonnes of kaolin and kaolinic clays, a figure that remained virtually unchanged from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 3%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 1.0%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 2,000 tonnes. In 2019, production saw its largest decline, dropping by 0.0%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 3.0% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Sri Lanka in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports kaolin and kaolinic clays from Sri Lanka

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 0.3 tonnes and peaked in 2017, showing a 153-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Sri Lanka exported 31 tonnes of kaolin and kaolinic clays, marking a significant increase of 600.7% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 99.3%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 1,588.2% surge.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sri Lanka in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, two key markets—India and Japan—dominated exports in kind, together accounting for 99.6% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market behavior was characterized by volatility during these years. Import levels fluctuated significantly, with a 47-fold difference between the low in 2018 and the high in 2020. In 2020, Sri Lanka exported 31,000 US dollars worth of kaolin and kaolinic clays, representing a sharp year-on-year improvement of 3,067.6%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 1,000 US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 83.7%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, two countries—India and Japan—concentrated most of the exports in value terms for kaolin and kaolinic clays from Sri Lanka, while other markets were individually less significant.

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

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

Imports kaolin and kaolinic clays to Sri Lanka

Imports in kind, t

Sri Lanka's volume of kaolin and kaolinic clays imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 12,725 tonnes, down by 8.4% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 10.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.6%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 14,639 tonnes, with the largest increase that year at 3.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sri Lanka in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, three principal markets—India, the United Kingdom, and China—together accounted for 71.7% of total imports in kind of kaolin and kaolinic clays to Sri Lanka.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Sri Lanka imported a total of value_last_year thousand US dollars worth of kaolin and kaolinic clays, down by 12.4% year-on-year. Over the period 2017-2020, imports decreased by 28.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.4%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 3,423 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 33.6% and the largest increase in 2019 at 23.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom (25.7% of imports in value terms), China (25.2% of imports in value terms), and India (16.2% of imports in value terms) were the principal destinations for imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 67.2% of total flows.

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

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