The world feldspar production declined significantly in 2009. Over 2009-2011, the feldspar production grew by more than 1.5 million metric tons. In 2011, it was evaluated at approximately 20.7 million metric tons.
Turkey calls for the major market share, accounting for above 24% of the overall feldspar output.
Feldspar: world mine production structure, by country, 2011
In 2010 and 2011, production volumes of feldspar remained on the same level in the country. They were evaluated at about 5 million metric tons in 2011.
Turkey is closely followed by Italy in terms of the feldspar production. In 2011, the Italy’s feldspar output grew to 4.7 million tons. China holds the third position on the global feldspar production arena, but the feldspar production volume in the country is only half as large as those of the first two leaders. The U.S., France, Thailand, Japan, Spain and Korea are amid other significant market players.
In 2011, the total output of the feldspar in European Union (EU) exceeded 7.5 million metric tons. Italy is the leading EU feldspar manufacturer, accounting for over 60% of the total EU feldspar production. Italy, France, Spain, Poland and the Czech Republic make up the top five EU feldspar producers.
Spain is one of the largest world feldspar consumers. In 2011, its demand for the product increased by more than 14% if compared to 2010 and surpassed 1.5 million metric tons. Imports of feldspar prevail over exports in the country. In 2010-2011, country’s imports enhanced by nearly 172,000 metric tons to reach almost 1.03 million metric tons in 2011. Spain usually obtains feldspar from Turkey, Italy and France.
In China, the feldspar production is much higher than consumption. In 2011, China’s feldspar output overrode 2 million metric tons. In the same year, the country’s feldspar exports amounted to almost to 844,000 metric tons.
Export and import dynamics of Feldspar in China in 2006-2011, metric tons
Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia are the key importers of the Chinese feldspar.
The world feldspar production is expected to continue growing in the years ahead and to run up close to 25.6 million metric tons in 2016.
More information on the Feldspar Market can be found in the report Feldspar Market Review.