China's limestone exports surge to 13.6 mil mt over January-August

China's limestone exports surged 2,298% year over year to about 13.6 million metric tons in the first eight months of 2026, according to the latest data from S&P Global Market Intelligence's Global Trade Atlas.

Limestone is a key feedstock for the cement, lime and steel industries.

Market participants across Asia said the sharp rise in Chinese exports was driven in part by disruptions to trade flows from the Persian Gulf, prompting buyers to secure alternative sources.

The growth in Chinese shipments coincided with a decline in exports from traditional Gulf suppliers. Limestone exports from the UAE fell 45.8% year over year to 20.6 million mt over January-August, while Oman's exports slipped 9.37% to 7.5 million mt over the same period.

India was the largest importer of Chinese limestone over the period, taking 10.07 million mt and accounting for nearly 74% of total exports, compared with just 4 mt a year earlier. Bangladesh ranked second with 1.15 million mt, representing 8.46% of shipments, while South Korea imported 821,096 mt, up 141.6% year over year.

Exports accelerated further in August, with China shipping about 3.45 million mt, up 2,717% year over year. India and Bangladesh together absorbed about 85% of the month's export volumes.