Slaked market in Greece

Earlier Report Observations

The Greek slaked lime market experienced significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2024. After starting at 132.3 thousand tonnes in 2018, market volume declined to 125.9 thousand tonnes in 2019 and further to 121.3 thousand tonnes in 2020. This was followed by a sharp increase to 162.8 thousand tonnes in 2021, which marked the highest point in the period. Subsequently, the market contracted to 140.3 thousand tonnes in 2022, 138.8 thousand tonnes in 2023, and 117.6 thousand tonnes by 2024.

The surge in 2021 was driven by a substantial rise in domestic production, which jumped to 170.3 thousand tonnes from 135.6 thousand tonnes the previous year. At the same time, imports remained at 4.9 thousand tonnes, similar to 2020, while exports decreased to 12.4 thousand tonnes from 19.2 thousand tonnes, contributing to the larger domestic availability. After 2021, production levels moderated to 154.4 thousand tonnes in 2022 and 156.0 thousand tonnes in 2023 before dropping to 132.4 thousand tonnes in 2024. Import volumes fell sharply to 0.7 thousand tonnes in 2022 and became negligible thereafter, while exports recovered to 14.8 thousand tonnes in 2022 and 17.3 thousand tonnes in 2023 before settling at 15.0 thousand tonnes in 2024.

Overall, the market showed a volatile pattern, with the 2021 peak standing out as an anomaly in an otherwise downward trend from 2018 to 2024. The total market volume in 2024 was 11% lower than at the start of the period, reflecting a contraction in both production and net trade.

Production slaked in Greece

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In Greece, the output value of slaked lime reached 10 576 K $ US in 2020, showing a modest increase of 1.2% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 5.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 10 893 K $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 8.5%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the most significant decline of 4.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Greece in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Greece's slaked lime production has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 135.6 K t, down by 2.4% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, overall production decreased by 4.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.5%.

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

Exports slaked from Greece

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Greece exported 19 215 t of slaked lime, a decrease of 6.0% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 11.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.8%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 16 384 t, while the highest was in 2019 at 20 435 t, which also saw the largest increase of 24.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the principal destinations for Greece's slaked lime exports in kind were North Macedonia, accounting for 36.8% of exports, Albania with 30.1%, and Serbia at 28.1%. Together, these three countries represented 94.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Greece exported slaked lime worth 1 482 K $ US in 2020, marking a slight decrease of 2.8% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 26.3%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 8.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 126 K $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 4.0%. In contrast, the highest value was in 2019 at 1 524 K $ US, with the largest increase of 35.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the largest buyers of slaked lime from Greece in value terms were North Macedonia, with a 33.6% share of exports, Albania at 32.5%, and Serbia contributing 27.2%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 93.3% of total export value.

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

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

Imports slaked to Greece

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Slaked lime imports to Greece reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 3.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports amounted to 4 933 t, marking a significant decrease of 33.3% compared to 2019. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 8 932 t, which also saw the largest increase of 230.0%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Bulgaria dominated Greece's slaked lime imports in kind, accounting for 99.5% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports to Greece bottomed in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 2.9-fold difference. In 2020, cross-border shipments of slaked lime reached 426 K $ US, representing a steep decline of 31.6% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 818 K $ US, which also experienced the largest increase of 187.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports of slaked lime to Greece in value terms were almost entirely tied to Bulgaria, which held a 98.4% share of total flows.

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

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