Eastern Europe and CIS region to emerge as the largest exporter of white cement

At a global level, Eastern Europe and CIS region is expected to emerge as the largest exporter of white cement in 2021, displacing Western Europe, according to the 2021 update of CW Research's Global White Cement Market and Trade Report.

Eastern Europe and CIS is a small market when it comes to consumption, and it is characterized by export driven players looking to benefit from competitive advantages in production. A robust increase in Turkey's white cement exports, which has increased at a CAGR of more than 6 percent between 2016 and 2021, has prompted the region to the leading position.

ÔÇ£Turkey is alone projected to ship over 1 million tons of white cement this year to markets including the United States, Israel, Italy and Iraq. Turkey's exports rose, in ten years between 2011 and 2021, from about 50 to over 95 percent of local white cement production. At the same time, its domestic demand is predicted to decline at an average of almost 6 percent in the 2016-2021 period,ÔÇØ explains Carolina Pereira, Manager, Advisory & Research at CW Group.

North America to remain the largest import destination for white cement

Given the inability of domestic production to meet demand, North America has become highly reliant on imports, particularly in the case of the United States, where imports are expected to represent over 80 percent of total consumption in 2021.

In 2021, North America is expected to remain the largest import destination for white cement, followed by the Middle East, Western Europe and Eastern Europe and CIS. The United States is expected to import the single largest volume of white cement, sourced from Canada, Turkey, and Mexico among others.

Western Europe to retain its position as net exporter

Western Europe is projected to ship 40 percent of its white cement exports to North America and Eastern Europe and CIS regions in 2021, with Denmark leading white cement exports in the region, exporting to countries like as Poland, United States, Netherlands, Germany and France.

Middle East's imports to witness growth in 2021

The Middle East, the world's second largest producing region of white cement, after China, is expected to see countries slowly decrease their dependency on imports of white cement in the last four years, as more capacity has been added. However, in 2021E, the imports in the region are expected to increase by almost 16 percent compared to 2020.

Countries including the UAE and Qatar are at the forefront of using white cement on a large scale in construction projects, due to the increased focus on aesthetics and insulation efficiency, which means that the region will remain a hot spot for demand of white cement.

The Global White Cement Market and Trade Report is CW Research's comprehensive assessment on worldwide white cement industry and presents the latest market data (demand and supply) covering the 2016-2021E period, with a 5-year medium-term forecast until 2026. The report includes white cement consumption and production figures, import and export data as well as pricing trends and white cement capacity developments.

Find out more about the report here.