Quicklime magnesia, also known as caustic calcined magnesia, is a chemical raw material produced by calcining magnesite, brucite, or magnesium hydroxide extracted from seawater or brine at temperatures ranging from approximately 800°C to 1000°C. During this process, carbon dioxide (CO2) or water (H2O) in the raw materials is released, leaving magnesium oxide (MgO) as the primary component of the product. Based on its degree of calcination and applications, quicklime magnesia is categorized into various specifications such as 90 powder, 85 powder, 80 powder, each tailored to different industrial uses. Thanks to its excellent heat resistance, corrosion resistance, and unique chemical properties, quicklime magnesia plays a vital role across multiple industries, including construction materials, chemicals, metallurgy, pharmaceuticals, and environmental protection.

As a leading producer and exporter of quicklime magnesia, China's import and export dynamics are influenced by international market demand, domestic production costs, trade policies, and the broader global economic climate. Customs data indicates that in the first half of 2024, China's total export value of quicklime magnesia reached USD 8,707, up 18.33% year-on-year. The total export volume was 499,000 tons, marking a 26.48% increase compared to the same period in 2023. Despite the rise in both export volume and total value, the average market price has declined from USD 1.73 per kg in 2023 to USD 0.174 per kg in 2024, representing a decrease of 6.44%.

Analyzing the overall data from 2018 to 2023 reveals a two-fold picture. Firstly, in terms of export value, there was an initial decline followed by a recovery trend. There was a slight increase in 2019 compared to 2018, a dip in 2020, and then a substantial rebound in 2021 and 2022, reaching a peak of USD 203,334,102. Although export value dipped in 2023, the first half of 2024 saw an 18.33% growth compared to the same period in 2023.

Secondly, looking at export volumes from 2018 through the first half of 2024, there has been a consistent rise, increasing from 747,072,617 kg to 499,010,586 kg in H1 2024. While the quantity exported in 2024 surpassed that of the same period in 2023, the decrease in export value suggests fluctuations in the market unit price.

As global sectors like construction, steel, and chemicals continue to grow, demand for quicklime magnesia is set to rise, particularly amidst heightened environmental standards. With its application as an environmentally friendly refractory material and desulfurizer becoming more prevalent, the use of quicklime magnesia will expand further. China's exports of quicklime magnesia span broadly, catering to countries and regions with substantial demand worldwide. According to 2023 data, major export destinations for China include the United States, India, Japan, the Netherlands, Indonesia, Taiwan, Malaysia, South Africa, South Korea, and New Zealand. Alongside the growth of emerging economies, demand from markets such as Congo (DRC), the UAE, and Egypt is also gradually increasing.

China's quicklime magnesia exports are poised for steady growth in the future, but this trajectory must be monitored in light of shifts in global demand, international trade conditions, technological advancements, and environmental regulations, necessitating ongoing optimization of product mix and enhancement of international competitiveness.

GuomaoTong, as China's premier data company, offers customs data for over 80 countries from 2010 to the present, enabling online precise analysis of import and export market distributions, detailed transaction information of importing and exporting enterprises, specific volume-price analyses, and supply cycles. This provides reliable, foundational data for numerous foreign trade enterprises and industry consulting firms.

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