Chlorides Market

The article provides detailed insights into the global chlorides market, excluding ammonium chloride, with a focus on consumption, production, import, and export trends from 2012 to 2022. It forecasts market performance with a projected CAGR of +2.4% in consumption and +3.9% in value from 2022 to 2030. Key data includes country-wise consumption, production, import, and export figures, highlighting growth rates and market dynamics over the analyzed period.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for chlorides (excluding ammonium chloride) worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +2.4% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 19M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +3.9% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $13.1B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Chlorides (Excluding Ammonium Chloride)

In 2022, after five years of growth, there was decline in consumption of chlorides (excluding ammonium chloride), when its volume decreased by -2.6% to 16M tons. Overall, the total consumption indicated a measured increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, global consumption hit record highs at 16M tons in 2021, and then dropped slightly in the following year.

The global chlorides market value totaled $9.6B in 2022, approximately reflecting 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). Over the period under review, the total consumption indicated measured growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +52.2% against 2017 indices. Global consumption peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (3.3M tons), France (1.7M tons) and the United States (1.3M tons), together accounting for 39% of global consumption.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for France (with a CAGR of +15.5%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest chlorides markets worldwide were Japan ($2.4B), the United States ($1.3B) and China ($950M), together accounting for 48% of the global market. India, France, Russia, Turkey, Pakistan, Germany, Mexico, Iran and Canada lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 25%.

Among the main consuming countries, France, with a CAGR of +9.8%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to market size over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2022, the highest levels of chlorides per capita consumption was registered in France (25 kg per person), followed by Germany (8.7 kg per person), Japan (7.1 kg per person) and Canada (6.5 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of chlorides was estimated at 2 kg per person.

In France, chlorides per capita consumption expanded at an average annual rate of +15.2% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Germany (+0.3% per year) and Japan (+2.7% per year).

Production

World Production of Chlorides (Excluding Ammonium Chloride)

After five years of growth, production of chlorides (excluding ammonium chloride) decreased by -0.9% to 16M tons in 2022. Overall, the total production indicated a perceptible expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production increased by +63.1% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 19% against the previous year. Global production peaked at 16M tons in 2021, and then dropped in the following year.

In value terms, chlorides production declined to $8.6B in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, the total production indicated pronounced growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production increased by +54.2% against 2017 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 36%. Over the period under review, global production hit record highs at $8.6B in 2021, and then contracted in the following year.

Production By Country

China (4.5M tons) remains the largest chlorides producing country worldwide, comprising approx. 28% of total volume. Moreover, chlorides production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, France (1.6M tons), threefold. India (1.4M tons) ranked third in terms of total production with an 8.8% share.

In China, chlorides production increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: France (+18.0% per year) and India (+5.9% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Chlorides (Excluding Ammonium Chloride)

In 2022, purchases abroad of chlorides (excluding ammonium chloride) decreased by -1.1% to 3.4M tons, falling for the fourth consecutive year after two years of growth. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 16% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of 3.8M tons. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of global imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, chlorides imports skyrocketed to $2B in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when imports increased by 20% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports reached the maximum in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in the near future.

Imports By Country

The countries with the highest levels of chlorides imports in 2022 were the United States (291K tons), Germany (287K tons), Canada (232K tons), France (190K tons), Japan (182K tons), Belgium (157K tons), Sweden (132K tons), the UK (117K tons), the Netherlands (107K tons), the United Arab Emirates (103K tons), Malaysia (91K tons) and Indonesia (87K tons), together accounting for 58% of total import. Italy (80K tons) took a relatively small share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Malaysia (with a CAGR of +8.9%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest chlorides importing markets worldwide were the United States ($213M), Japan ($154M) and Germany ($150M), with a combined 26% share of global imports. France, the Netherlands, Canada, the UK, Belgium, Italy, Malaysia, Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates and Sweden lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 29%.

The UK, with a CAGR of +11.2%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average chlorides import price amounted to $594 per ton, with an increase of 18% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.5%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 21%. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the maximum in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Japan ($847 per ton), while Sweden ($210 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Canada (+5.1%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Chlorides (Excluding Ammonium Chloride)

For the third consecutive year, the global market recorded growth in shipments abroad of chlorides (excluding ammonium chloride), which increased by 7% to 3.7M tons in 2022. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 19% against the previous year. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, chlorides exports surged to $1.9B in 2022. Overall, total exports indicated a remarkable increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +106.0% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 26% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports hit record highs in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports By Country

In 2022, China (1.3M tons) represented the largest exporter of chlorides (excluding ammonium chloride), achieving 34% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Germany (351K tons), India (302K tons) and the United States (173K tons), together generating a 22% share of total exports. Israel (163K tons), the Netherlands (157K tons), Austria (150K tons), Belgium (139K tons), Finland (134K tons), France (129K tons), Spain (109K tons) and Sweden (95K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to chlorides exports from China stood at +4.6%. At the same time, India (+16.6%), Austria (+16.2%), Spain (+11.8%), France (+7.0%), Belgium (+4.0%), Germany (+2.6%), Israel (+2.2%) and Sweden (+2.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, India emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +16.6% from 2012-2022. Finland and the Netherlands experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, the United States (-2.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of India (+5.6 p.p.), Austria (+2.7 p.p.), China (+2.2 p.p.) and Spain (+1.5 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the global exports from 2012-2022, the share of Finland (-1.5 p.p.), the Netherlands (-1.9 p.p.) and the United States (-4.1 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest chlorides supplying countries worldwide were China ($456M), the United States ($247M) and Germany ($155M), together comprising 46% of global exports. India, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, Israel, Finland, Austria and Sweden lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 31%.

Among the main exporting countries, France, with a CAGR of +13.5%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average chlorides export price amounted to $509 per ton, growing by 9.8% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.7%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the average export price increased by 22% against the previous year. The global export price peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($1,429 per ton), while Austria ($151 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+7.3%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform