UK imports of non-metallic minerals have seen a general upward trend over the past decade. The value stood at 26.34 million metric tons in 2023. The import volumes increased gradually from 14.51 million metric tons in 2013 to 26.34 million metric tons by 2023, representing a steady growth over ten years. Notably, there were occasional fluctuations with significant rises in 2014 and 2016, and a notable dip in 2020 due to external factors, possibly related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The year-on-year variation for 2022 and 2023 indicates mild growth, with 2.5% and 2.39% respectively. The CAGR for the past five years stands at 2.48%, showing consistent yet modest growth. Forecasting for the next five years indicates continued growth at a CAGR of 1.81%, leading to an estimated import volume of 29.56 million metric tons by 2028.
Future trends to watch for include:
- Potential impacts of global economic conditions on trade volumes.
- Technological advancements in non-metallic mineral extraction and processing.
- Shifts in domestic production meeting local demand, possibly affecting import volumes.
- Environmental regulations and sustainability initiatives impacting the non-metallic minerals industry.