Magnesite market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the magnesite market volume in Eastern Europe increased from 3 328 thousand tonnes to 3 345 thousand tonnes. This growth was supported by a 9.8% rise in global magnesium carbonate demand and development in key domestic sectors such as agriculture, which uses magnesium-based fertilizers, and environmental technologies for water treatment and waste processing. In 2020, post‑COVID‑19 recovery spurred a sharp rise in imports, offsetting a slight dip in domestic production.

After peaking in 2020, the market contracted to 3 193 thousand tonnes by 2022. Production became more concentrated among major players like AO 'KAUSTIK' and AO 'NIKOMAG', which helped stabilize output. However, global logistical and trade restrictions in 2022 constrained import flows and contributed to the overall decline in market volume.

In 2023, production rebounded amid broader industrial growth. By 2024, global economic and logistic factors led to a modest 2.3% decrease in magnesite output. The product’s versatility in fertilizers and environmental applications continues to underpin long‑term demand.

Production magnesite in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of magnesite, 2017-2020

World map of production of magnesite, 2017-2020

Magnesite production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 3,182 thousand tonnes of magnesite, marking a 3.8% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 3.9%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.3%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 3,318 thousand tonnes, with the largest year-on-year increase of 0.2% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports magnesite from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Export volumes varied significantly, with a 15-fold difference between the low in 2020 and the high in 2018. In 2020, cross-border shipments of magnesite from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) totaled 2.6 thousand tonnes, representing a sharp decline of 91.6% compared to 2019. The peak was reached in 2018 at 39.7 thousand tonnes, when exports saw their largest increase of 123.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, China consistently held the largest share of magnesite exports in kind from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia), accounting for 56.6% of total flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the period. There was a 5.7-fold variation between the minimum in 2020 and the maximum in 2018. In 2020, magnesite exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) amounted to 1,508 thousand US dollars, reflecting a sharp decline of 77.6% from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 8,575 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase of 122.9% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017–2020, China dominated the country structure of exports in value terms, accounting for 71.5% of total flows, while other destinations remained relatively small.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports magnesite to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, K t

The market exhibited volatility over the observed period. Import volumes hit a low in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 3.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, cross-border shipments of magnesite to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) totaled 165.7 thousand tonnes, showing a steep rise of 175.7% year-on-year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 50.1 thousand tonnes, when imports experienced their largest decline of 32.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In 2017–2020, the geographical pattern of imports in kind was characterized by a strong dominance of Finland, which reached a share of 78.0% of total flows, while other partners held relatively minor shares.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) saw its volume of magnesite imports increase for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 7,275 thousand US dollars, showing an advance of 8.5% from a year earlier. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 178.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 40.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2017–2020, Finland (35.7% of imports in value terms), Turkey (10.9% of imports in value terms), and Saudi Arabia (7.0% of imports in value terms) led the structure of imports in value terms, together representing 53.6% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020