Gypsum industry news

US: The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has published its first-quarter 2025 gypsum market data, showing a 9% year-on-year decline in domestic gypsum wallboard deliveries, to 574Mm². The data did not include figures for gypsum wallboard production. Gypsum wallboard exports rose by 30% to 24.8Mm², 23.8Mm² (96%) of which went to Canada. Imports totalled 21.4Mm², up by 6%, 20.5Mm² (96%) of which came from Mexico.

The US produced 4.96Mt of natural gypsum during the quarter, down by 1% year-on-year from the first quarter of 2024. Imports remained level at 1.7Mt. Spain supplied 680,000t (40%), Canada 527,000t (31%) and Mexico 425,000t (25%).

Bolivia: The Bolivian Port Services Administration (ASP-B) has shipped 2680t of gypsum via Puerto Busch on the Paraguay River in Santa Cruz to Paraguay. The La Razón newspaper has reported that the company now expects to export 11,600t/yr of gypsum along the route. It plans to despatch 3500t throughout July 2025, rising to 8100t in August 2025.

General director Daniel Villarroel noted the suitability of Puerto Busch to facilitate foreign trade, including with markets around the Atlantic Ocean.

Kazakhstan: The government of Kazakhstan will impose a three-month ban on imports of gypsum wallboard from 22 July 2025.

Interfax Central Asia News has reported that Kazakhstan produced 35.5Mm² of gypsum wallboard in 2024, corresponding to 77% utilisation of its 46Mm²/yr capacity. Domestic demand was 38.8Mm².

Oman: The Omani government has granted a mandate to Minerals Development Oman subsidiary Oman Minerals Trading Company to manage marketing and export of the country’s gypsum and chrome ore. The mandate imposes new rules that require the Omani gypsum trade to prioritise the local market over exports. A new supplier and buyer registration programme will launch in mid-late 2025, in advance of full implementation of the new system in May 2026.

Minerals Development Oman CEO Mattar Salim Al Badi said "We deeply value the Ministry of Energy and Minerals' trust in tasking the Oman Minerals Trading Company with organising and exporting gypsum and chrome ores. This authorisation marks a strategic milestone, poised to boost supply chain efficiency, unify marketing efforts and ensure transparent, fair pricing."

Oman produced 14Mt of gypsum across 15 licensed mines in 2024.

Philippines: The Tariff Commission has ordered that anti-dumping duties of 9% be imposed on imports of gypsum wallboard from Thailand for a period of five years. The commission has found that imports caused ‘material injury’ to domestic gypsum wallboard production. In specifying the rate of duties, the commission named two Thai exporters of gypsum wallboard in particular: Gypman Tech Company and Thai Gypsum Products.

During the period under investigation (January 2019 – September 2024), dumped gypsum wallboard accounted for 71% of imports.

India: The anticipated India-Oman comprehensive economic partnership agreement remains close to signing, BusinessLine Online News has reported. Nonetheless, ‘one issue’ reportedly still requires ‘ironing out.’ This is the Indian government’s rejection of Oman's Omanisation policy, which is continually increasing the proportion of Omani nationals required to be employed in the country’s industries. The Indian government has asked for a freeze to the requirements, which works to the exclusion of the Indian expat community in Oman, it says.

Bilateral trade between India and Oman was worth US$8.9bn in 2024. Gypsum is among the key Indian imports from Oman.

New Zealand: Parliament has passed the Building Act, allowing the import of ‘thousands’ of building products, including gypsum wallboard, insulation and cladding systems. The act allows for cited standards, according to which the Minister for Building Construction will be able to issue a notice to recognise overseas product standards and certification schemes for local use.

Scoop News has reported that the government introduced the bill to help lower prices, following 40% rises since 2019, and to ease shortages.

Kyrgyzstan: The government has informed the World Trade Organisation and the Eurasian Economic Commission of a temporary ban on imports of gypsum boards, tiles and other products. CA-News has reported that the ban will remain in force for six months.

Philippines: Knauf Philippines has asked the Tariff Commission to recommend a new import duty on gypsum wallboard from Thailand, the Manila Times newspaper has reported. Thai wallboard was subject to a provisional anti-dumping duty from November 2024 – March 2025, following a 30% drop in local production from 2022 levels. Meanwhile in Thailand, producers’ capacity utilisation ended 2024 at 57%. As a result, it the industry is attempting to increase its efficiency, maximise its production and possibly target export markets like the Philippines, according to Knauf Philippines.

Director Mark Dewey Sergio said "We have reason to believe that the threat will continue."

US/Canada: The costs of construction of new single-family homes are set to rise by US$7500 – 10,000/unit, according to the National Association of Home Builders. This is due to the government’s introduction of a new 25% tariff on Canadian gypsum wallboard and its raising of the tariff on softwood lumber to the same level from 14.5%.