Pyrites Market

The global pyrites market is forecasted to experience growth in consumption over the next eight years, with a projected CAGR of +5.7%. In 2022, approximately 759K tons of pyrites were consumed worldwide, with an increase of 14% from the previous year. The highest consumption levels were seen in countries like China, Canada, and Russia. Production of pyrites also increased in 2022, rising for the third year in a row. Imports and exports of pyrites showed fluctuations over the years, with prices varying by country. Overall, the market is expected to see growth in both volume and value terms.

Market Forecast

Driven by rising demand for pyrites worldwide, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +5.7% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 1.2M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +5.9% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $213M (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Pyrites

In 2022, approx. 759K tons of pyrites were consumed worldwide; with an increase of 14% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption, however, recorded a pronounced decline. As a result, consumption reached the peak volume of 1.5M tons. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the global consumption remained at a lower figure.

The global pyrites market size expanded remarkably to $135M in 2022, growing by 12% 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). Overall, consumption, however, recorded a deep downturn. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $459M. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the global market remained at a lower figure.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (328K tons), Canada (196K tons) and Russia (125K tons), together accounting for 86% of global consumption.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by Canada (with a CAGR of +23.7%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced a decline in the consumption figures.

In value terms, the largest pyrites markets worldwide were China ($54M), Russia ($32M) and Malaysia ($3.4M), together comprising 66% of the global market. These countries were followed by Canada, which accounted for a further 0.7%.

Among the main consuming countries, Canada, with a CAGR of +21.1%, saw the highest growth rate of market size over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced a decline in the market figures.

In 2022, the highest levels of pyrites per capita consumption was registered in Canada (5.1 kg per person), followed by Russia (0.9 kg per person), Malaysia (0.5 kg per person) and China (0.2 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of pyrites was estimated at 0.1 kg per person.

In Canada, pyrites per capita consumption increased at an average annual rate of +22.4% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Russia (-1.0% per year) and Malaysia (-2.3% per year).

Production

World Production of Pyrites

In 2022, production of pyrites increased by 11% to 352K tons, rising for the third year in a row after two years of decline. In general, production, however, saw a perceptible reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 43%. Global production peaked at 580K tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, pyrites production reduced to $144M in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, showed a deep contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 38%. Over the period under review, global production hit record highs at $241M in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Russia (141K tons), Iran (78K tons) and Turkey (52K tons), together comprising 77% of global production. Malaysia, Italy, the Philippines and Taiwan (Chinese) lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 16%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the key producing countries, was attained by Malaysia (with a CAGR of +6.9%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Pyrites

In 2022, supplies from abroad of pyrites increased by 14% to 636K tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. In general, imports, however, showed a slight shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 61% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of 1.2M tons. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of global imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, pyrites imports rose significantly to $101M in 2022. Over the period under review, imports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 216%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $296M. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of global imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports By Country

China represented the major importing country with an import of around 348K tons, which recorded 55% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Canada (196K tons), making up a 31% share of total imports. Italy (18K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Canada (with a CAGR of +23.6%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced mixed trends in the imports figures.

In value terms, China ($70M) constitutes the largest market for imported pyrites worldwide, comprising 69% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Italy ($3.6M), with a 3.6% share of global imports.

In China, pyrites imports increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Italy (+12.2% per year) and Canada (+20.4% per year).

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average pyrites import price amounted to $159 per ton, with a decrease of -4.7% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, saw a pronounced increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when the average import price increased by 214%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $396 per ton. From 2014 to 2022, the average import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was China ($200 per ton), while Canada ($4.6 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+6.9%), while the other global leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Exports

World Exports of Pyrites

In 2022, overseas shipments of pyrites increased by 10% to 229K tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. Overall, exports, however, showed a mild descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 101%. The global exports peaked at 256K tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, pyrites exports skyrocketed to $59M in 2022. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 60%. The global exports peaked at $73M in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports By Country

Iran (75K tons) and Turkey (51K tons) represented roughly 55% of total exports in 2022. China (19K tons) held an 8.5% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Malaysia (8.1%), Italy (7.3%) and Russia (6.9%). Taiwan (Chinese) (7.8K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Taiwan (Chinese) (with a CAGR of +104.9%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest pyrites supplying countries worldwide were Iran ($15M), Italy ($8.6M) and Turkey ($6.1M), with a combined 51% share of global exports.

Turkey, with a CAGR of +101.0%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

The average pyrites export price stood at $258 per ton in 2022, surging by 5.4% against the previous year. In general, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the average export price increased by 50% against the previous year. The global export price peaked at $329 per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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 Italy ($512 per ton), while Turkey ($121 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Iran (+11.6%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform