IndexBox has just published a new report: ‘World – Fluorspar – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights’. Here is a summary of the report’s key findings.

The global fluorspar market revenue amounted to $1.6B in 2018, jumping by 5.5% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers’ margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). In general, fluorspar consumption, however, continues to indicate a modest increase.Over the period under review, the global fluorspar market attained its maximum level at $2.7B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2018, consumption failed to regain its momentum.

Consumption by Country

The country with the largest volume of fluorspar consumption was China (3.4M tonnes), accounting for 54% of total volume. Moreover, fluorspar consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, the U.S. (453K tonnes), sevenfold. The third position in this ranking was occupied by India (236K tonnes), with a 3.8% share.

From 2007 to 2018, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in China stood at +2.0%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the U.S. (-2.6% per year) and India (+4.6% per year).

In value terms, China ($856M) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was occupied by the U.S. ($121M). It was followed by India.

The countries with the highest levels of fluorspar per capita consumption in 2018 were Tunisia (8,691 kg per 1000 persons), Kazakhstan (5,441 kg per 1000 persons) and Italy (2,966 kg per 1000 persons).

Market Forecast to 2030

Driven by rising demand for fluorspar worldwide, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next decade. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +1.0% for the period from 2018 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 7M tonnes by the end of 2030.

Production 2007-2018

In 2018, approx. 6.4M tonnes of fluorspar were produced worldwide; surging by 4.8% against the previous year. In general, fluorspar production continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern.

Production by Country

The country with the largest volume of fluorspar production was China (3.5M tonnes), comprising approx. 55% of total volume. Moreover, fluorspar production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Mexico (1M tonnes), threefold. The third position in this ranking was occupied by Mongolia (585K tonnes), with a 9.2% share.

From 2007 to 2018, the average annual growth rate of volume in China was relatively modest. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Mexico (+0.7% per year) and Mongolia (-0.5% per year).

Exports 2007-2018

Global exports totaled 2.8M tonnes in 2018. Over the period under review, global fluorspar exports reached their maximum at 3.3M tonnes in 2011; however, from 2012 to 2018, exports stood at a somewhat lower figure. In value terms, fluorspar exports totaled $656M (IndexBox estimates) in 2018. In general, the total exports indicated a perceptible increase from 2007 to 2018: its value increased at an average annual rate of +0.7% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period.

Exports by Country

In 2018, Mexico (888K tonnes), distantly followed by Mongolia (557K tonnes), China (353K tonnes) and South Africa (312K tonnes) were the major exporters of fluorspar, together committing 74% of total exports. Spain (113K tonnes), Morocco (104K tonnes), Myanmar (69K tonnes), Italy (59K tonnes), Namibia (55K tonnes) and Thailand (50K tonnes) occupied small shares of total exports.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of exports, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by Myanmar, while exports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Mexico ($189M) remains the largest fluorspar supplier worldwide, comprising 29% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Mongolia ($93M), with a 14% share of global exports. It was followed by China, with a 13% share.

Export Prices by Country

The average fluorspar export price stood at $231 per tonne in 2018, surging by 5.5% against the previous year. Over the period from 2007 to 2018, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.6%. Over the period under review, the average export prices for fluorspar attained their maximum at $291 per tonne in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2018, export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by the country of origin; the country with the highest price was Namibia ($414 per tonne), while Italy ($97 per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Thailand, while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports 2007-2018

In 2018, the global fluorspar imports stood at 2.6M tonnes, going up by 14% against the previous year. Overall, fluorspar imports, however, continue to indicate a mild contraction. Over the period under review, global fluorspar imports attained their maximum at 3.2M tonnes in 2011; however, from 2012 to 2018, imports failed to regain their momentum. In value terms, fluorspar imports totaled $688M (IndexBox estimates) in 2018.

Imports by Country

In 2018, the U.S. (459K tonnes), distantly followed by Italy (236K tonnes), India (235K tonnes), Japan (211K tonnes), China (203K tonnes), Russia (197K tonnes) and Germany (182K tonnes) represented the major importers of fluorspar, together comprising 66% of total imports. Turkey (101K tonnes), Tunisia (101K tonnes), the Netherlands (97K tonnes), South Korea (76K tonnes) and Canada (75K tonnes) held a minor share of total imports.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of imports, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by China, while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest fluorspar importing markets worldwide were the U.S. ($125M), India ($84M) and Germany ($65M), with a combined 40% share of global imports. Italy, Japan, China, Russia, Canada, South Korea, Turkey, Tunisia and the Netherlands lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 43%.

Import Prices by Country

The average fluorspar import price stood at $262 per tonne in 2018, rising by 13% against the previous year. Over the last eleven-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.3%.

Prices varied noticeably by the country of destination; the country with the highest price was Germany ($360 per tonne), while Russia ($157 per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Canada, while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox AI Platform