Portland cement market in Estonia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2024, the Estonian Portland cement market experienced notable volatility in volume. After starting at 442.7 thousand tonnes in 2018, consumption declined over the next two years to 349.2 thousand tonnes in 2020. A sharp recovery followed in 2021, with market volume jumping to 449.5 thousand tonnes. However, this peak was short-lived, as volume fell again to 307.5 thousand tonnes by 2023 before partially rebounding to 386.8 thousand tonnes in 2024.

These fluctuations were closely tied to changes in domestic production and trade flows. Local production halved from 526.9 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 258.1 thousand tonnes in 2020, then partially recovered before falling to 184.5 thousand tonnes in 2024. Imports generally rose over the period, from 108.6 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 214.6 thousand tonnes in 2024, helping to offset the drop in production. Exports, which had been significant at 192.8 thousand tonnes in 2018, collapsed to just 19.5 thousand tonnes in 2020 and remained low thereafter, effectively freeing more supply for the domestic market.

Production portland cement in Estonia

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Estonia's portland cement production rebounded after two years of decline. In 2021, output reached 32,257 thousand US dollars, representing a sharp year-over-year increase of 45.1%. Over the 2018-2021 period, production decreased by 28.3%, with an annualized decline rate of 10.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 22,224 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 41.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Estonia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Estonia's portland cement production volume recovered following a two-year drop. In 2021, the country produced 371.4 thousand tons, marking a steep year-over-year uptick of 43.9%. Between 2018 and 2021, production decreased by 29.5%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 11.0%. The minimum volume was recorded in 2020 at 258.1 thousand tons, which also experienced the largest decline of 37.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Estonia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports portland cement from Estonia

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited significant volatility during these years. The highest export volume was noted in 2018, while the lowest occurred in 2020, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 9.9 times. In 2021, Estonia exported 66.8 thousand tons of portland cement, representing a sharp advance of 242.4% from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 19.5 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 82.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Estonia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Throughout 2018–2021, Latvia and Sweden remained the primary buyers of portland cement from Estonia, together accounting for 82.7% of total exports in kind, with other countries forming the remainder.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Estonia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports varied significantly, from a high in 2018 to a low in 2020, with an 8.4-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Estonia's portland cement exports amounted to 4,638 thousand US dollars, marking a steep gain of 227.0% from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 1,418 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 80.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Estonia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Over 2018–2021, Latvia and Sweden clearly dominated the partner structure for exports in value terms, while other countries together formed the remaining share.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Estonia in value, 2018-2021

Imports portland cement to Estonia

Imports in kind, K t

Estonia imported portland cement totaling 31.0 thousand tons in 2021, up by 31.0% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports increased by 33.5%, with an annualized growth rate of 10.1%. The largest decline was recorded in 2020 at 4.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Estonia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

In 2018–2021, the country structure of imports in kind was strongly focused on Latvia, whose share reached 83.6% of total flows, with other partners accounting for the remaining volume.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Estonia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Estonia's portland cement imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports totaled 14,006 thousand US dollars, marking a rise of 36.2% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports increased by 43.8%, with an annualized growth rate of 12.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Estonia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Throughout 2018–2021, Latvia concentrated 82.3% of total imports in value terms, while the rest of the volume was shared by many countries with smaller individual shares.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Estonia in value, 2018-2021