Kaolin and kaolinic clays market in Uzbekistan

Earlier Report Observations

Uzbekistan's kaolin market began with a volume of 366 thousand tons in 2018, underpinned by the country's vast resources like the Angren deposit and technical modernization in the ceramics sector. Production rose to 527 thousand tons in 2019 as growing demand from developing Asia-Pacific nations enhanced export prospects. A modest contraction to 493 thousand tons followed in 2020, a year that also saw the launch of multiple investment projects aimed at expanding reserves and processing capacity.

The market recovered to 570 thousand tons in 2021, supported by the increased activity of private enterprises such as GRK ALYANS, which expanded mining and production of enriched kaolin. A dramatic leap occurred in 2022, with production soaring to 959 thousand tons and market volume reaching 934 thousand tons. This surge coincided with plans to restart a large-scale project to extract aluminum from kaolin ores with South Korean technology, providing a significant boost to the industry.

In the following years, the strategic focus on exporting value-added products like enriched kaolin and quartz-kaolin blends strengthened. While production data for 2023-2024 is not available, export volumes continued their upward trajectory, reaching 48 thousand tons in 2023 and 81 thousand tons in 2024, indicating sustained international market engagement.

Production kaolin and kaolinic clays in Uzbekistan

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

On a global scale, Uzbekistan ranked as the 19th largest producer of kaolin and kaolinic clays between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of kaolin and kaolinic clays, 2017-2020

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

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to 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, Uzbekistan produced 495.8 K t of kaolin and kaolinic clays, down 5.8% from 2019. The maximum production was recorded in 2019 at 526.6 K t. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, with a jump of 143.7%.

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

Exports kaolin and kaolinic clays from Uzbekistan

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the period. Exports bottomed in 2017 and peaked in 2019, differing by a factor of 32. In 2020, kaolin and kaolinic clays exports from Uzbekistan totaled 7 301 t, marking a sharp decline of 14.7% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 8 558 t. The largest year-on-year increase was in 2019, with a surge of 536.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iran was the primary destination for exports in kind, accounting for 83.9% of total flows, while other markets formed a long tail of smaller partners.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. A 13.6-fold variation was noted between the minimum in 2017 and the maximum in 2019. In 2020, kaolin and kaolinic clays exports from Uzbekistan amounted to 1 127 K $ US, representing a steep drop of 38.2% from the year before. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 823 K $ US. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 591.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports in value terms of kaolin and kaolinic clays from Uzbekistan were almost entirely tied to Iran, which accounted for 93.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports kaolin and kaolinic clays to Uzbekistan

Imports in kind, t

Kaolin and kaolinic clays imports into Uzbekistan increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Uzbekistan imported a total of 4 115 t of kaolin and kaolinic clays, corresponding to a small gain of 2.2% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 142.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 34.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China was the key supplier of kaolin and kaolinic clays to Uzbekistan, taking 85.0% of total imports in kind, while a diversified group of other countries accounted for the remainder.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 2.9-fold gap between these years. In 2020, imported kaolin and kaolinic clays volumes in Uzbekistan totaled 1 546 K $ US, which is 61.7% higher compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 526 K $ US. The largest year-on-year decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 12.0%, while the largest increase was in 2019, with a rise of 81.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the structure of imports in value terms was marked by the predominance of China, which absorbed 77.6% of total flows, and by a large number of minor partners.

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

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