According to analysis, China will import a total of 4,108.5 tons of helium in 2023, +1.5% year-on-year. The average import price is US$115.9/kg, which is +23.2% higher than the average price in 2022. China's helium market supply may reach 4,900 tons in 2024 , +4.45% year-on-year, of which imported helium may be around 4,010 tons and domestic helium may reach around 890 tons.
1. Import volume +1.5% year-on-year
Qatar will remain China's main source of helium in 2023, and imports from Russia will increase significantly. According to Long analysis, China will import a total of 4,108.5 tons of helium in 2023, +1.5% year-on-year. The highest point is in December, with imports of 441.6 tons, and the lowest point is in September, with 263.0 tons. China's monthly import volume will have a large deviation in 2023, but with the relatively weak market demand and the support of domestically produced helium, the overall tight supply situation in the market has significantly improved. In addition, Gazprom's Amur project resumed production at the end of August, and helium imports from Russia are expected to grow significantly.
2. Average import price +23.2%
China's helium import prices will increase in 2023, with the average import price from the United States fluctuating greatly, mainly due to the high price of imported helium caused by some semiconductor companies due to problems with import channels. In addition, the price of helium imported from Russia is also subject to large fluctuations.
3. Qatar is the main place of origin
Qatar, the United States, and Russia are China's main sources of helium imports, and imports from Australia have decreased significantly. According to statistics from Longzhong Information, in 2023, 3,353.4 tons of helium will be imported from Qatar, accounting for 82%; 391.6 tons will be imported from the United States, accounting for 10%; 315.8 tons will be imported from Russia, accounting for 8%, and 315.8 tons will be imported from Russia, accounting for 8%, and 315.8 tons will be imported from Russia, accounting for 82%, and 315.8 tons will be imported from Russia, accounting for 82%. All are imported.
In the future, the apparent consumption of China's helium market may show an overall growth trend, and the growth rate in 2024 may be around 7.2%. After 2024, benefiting from the growth in demand from downstream semiconductor, optical fiber and other industries, as well as the expected growth in global helium demand due to abundant supply, its consumption growth rate may increase. China's helium market supply may reach 4,900 tons in 2024, +4.45% year-on-year, of which imported helium may be around 4,010 tons and domestic helium may reach around 890 tons.