Chalk Market

The article provides an in-depth analysis of the global chalk market, with insights into consumption, production, imports, and exports. It includes detailed data on market performance, trends, and forecasts up to 2030. Key highlights include consumption patterns, production volumes, import and export figures, as well as key players in the market. The article reveals growth rates, market values, and consumption per capita data for leading countries such as Peru, China, and the United States. Overall, the article offers a comprehensive overview of the global chalk market, showcasing trends and developments over the past decade.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for chalks 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 +4.3% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 310M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +6.1% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $237.3B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Chalk

In 2022, global chalk consumption totaled 222M tons, approximately equating the previous year's figure. Overall, the total consumption indicated a resilient increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume 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, consumption decreased by -1.2% against 2020 indices. Global consumption peaked at 224M tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The global chalk market value expanded modestly to $148.2B in 2022, increasing by 1.6% 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). Over the period under review, consumption continues to indicate a resilient increase. Over the period under review, the global market hit record highs at $150.6B in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were Peru (43M tons), China (36M tons) and Russia (24M tons), together comprising 47% of global consumption. The United States, Brazil, Japan, Hungary, Mexico, the UK, Turkey, Poland and Democratic Republic of the Congo lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 29%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the leading consuming countries, was attained by Poland (with a CAGR of +14.0%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($87B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was taken by China ($12.1B). It was followed by Peru.

In the United States, the chalk market increased at an average annual rate of +14.1% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: China (+9.1% per year) and Peru (+9.6% per year).

The countries with the highest levels of chalk per capita consumption in 2022 were Peru (1,290 kg per person), Hungary (652 kg per person) and Russia (168 kg per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the leading consuming countries, was attained by Poland (with a CAGR of +14.1%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Chalk

Global chalk production was estimated at 221M tons in 2022, flattening at the previous year. Over the period under review, the total production indicated a resilient expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume 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, production decreased by -1.2% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the production volume increased by 10%. Over the period under review, global production attained the peak volume at 224M tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, chalk production amounted to $154.5B in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production showed prominent growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the production volume increased by 32%. Over the period under review, global production attained the peak level at $157.2B in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Peru (43M tons), China (36M tons) and Russia (24M tons), together comprising 47% of global production. The United States, Brazil, Japan, Hungary, Mexico, the UK, Turkey, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Poland lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 30%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the leading producing countries, was attained by Poland (with a CAGR of +15.2%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Chalk

Global chalk imports reduced to 1.6M tons in 2022, shrinking by -13.3% against the year before. Overall, imports showed a deep setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 7.7%. Over the period under review, global imports attained the peak figure at 2.7M tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, chalk imports shrank modestly to $151M in 2022. Over the period under review, imports saw a pronounced decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 13% against the previous year. Global imports peaked at $222M in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports By Country

The Netherlands (346K tons) and Belgium (310K tons) represented the major importers of chalks in 2022, finishing at near 22% and 20% of total imports, respectively. Germany (169K tons) ranks next in terms of the total imports with an 11% share, followed by Sweden (7.7%), France (6.3%) and Poland (5.3%). The following importers - Finland (35K tons), Norway (31K tons), Luxembourg (27K tons), Lebanon (25K tons), Algeria (25K tons) and Ireland (25K tons) - each resulted at an 11% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Algeria (with a CAGR of +41.4%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest chalk importing markets worldwide were Belgium ($25M), the Netherlands ($16M) and Germany ($15M), together accounting for 38% of global imports. France, Sweden, Poland, Finland, Norway, Ireland, Luxembourg, Lebanon and Algeria lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 31%.

In terms of the main importing countries, Algeria, with a CAGR of +28.5%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

The average chalk import price stood at $95 per ton in 2022, rising by 11% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.5%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 an increase of 17%. Global import price peaked at $108 per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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 France ($140 per ton), while the Netherlands ($47 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by France (+5.9%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Chalk

Global chalk exports shrank rapidly to 836K tons in 2022, waning by -23.2% against the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, exports showed a abrupt decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 18%. The global exports peaked at 1.6M tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, chalk exports contracted to $95M in 2022. In general, exports recorded a pronounced slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when exports increased by 18% against the previous year. The global exports peaked at $142M in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports By Country

France represented the largest exporter of chalks in the world, with the volume of exports resulting at 285K tons, which was approx. 34% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Germany (107K tons), Belgium (94K tons), the UK (72K tons) and Spain (46K tons), together making up a 38% share of total exports. The Netherlands (33K tons), Poland (31K tons), Tunisia (18K tons), Greece (18K tons), Austria (16K tons) and Argentina (14K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to chalk exports from France stood at -5.9%. At the same time, Tunisia (+190.8%), Poland (+17.4%), the UK (+15.7%) and the Netherlands (+4.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Tunisia emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +190.8% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Austria (-3.1%), Argentina (-3.1%), Spain (-3.5%), Belgium (-4.3%), Germany (-7.2%) and Greece (-13.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of the UK, Poland, the Netherlands and Tunisia increased by +7.5, +3.3, +2.5 and +2.2 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, France ($28M) remains the largest chalk supplier worldwide, comprising 30% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Belgium ($9.5M), with a 10% share of global exports. It was followed by Germany, with an 8.8% share.

In France, chalk exports contracted by an average annual rate of -2.6% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Belgium (-0.5% per year) and Germany (-8.0% per year).

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average chalk export price amounted to $113 per ton, growing by 22% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.1%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($200 per ton), while Tunisia ($31 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Belgium (+3.9%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform