EU: Clay Market 2024

Clay Market Size in the EU

The EU clay market expanded rapidly to $X in 2023, picking up by X% against the previous year. The total consumption indicated a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2023: its value increased at an average annual rate of X% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2023 figures, consumption increased by X% against 2016 indices. The level of consumption peaked in 2023 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Clay Production in the EU

In value terms, clay production amounted to $X in 2023 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a buoyant increase from 2012 to 2023: its value increased at an average annual rate of X% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2023 figures, production increased by X% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of X%. The level of production peaked in 2023 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Clay Exports

Exports in the EU

In 2023, shipments abroad of clays decreased by X% to X tons for the first time since 2020, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Overall, exports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when exports increased by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2022, and then shrank sharply in the following year.

In value terms, clay exports rose slightly to $X in 2023. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of X% from 2012 to 2023; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by X% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2023 and is likely to see steady growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

In 2023, Germany (X tons) was the key exporter of clays, comprising X% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Spain (X tons), the Czech Republic (X tons), Portugal (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons), France (X tons), Italy (X tons) and Belgium (X tons), together mixing up a X% share of total exports.

Germany experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of exports of clays. At the same time, Portugal (X%), Italy (X%) and the Netherlands (X%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Portugal emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the European Union, with a CAGR of X% from 2012-2023. Belgium, France and Spain experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, the Czech Republic (X%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2023, the share of Portugal increased by X percentage points. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest clay supplying countries in the European Union were Germany ($X), France ($X) and Spain ($X), together comprising X% of total exports. The Netherlands, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Italy and Portugal lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further X%.

Portugal, with a CAGR of X%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in the European Union stood at $X per ton in 2023, increasing by X% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2023, it increased at an average annual rate of X%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2023, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Belgium ($X per ton), while Portugal ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (X%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Clay Imports

Imports in the EU

Clay imports contracted to X tons in 2023, reducing by X% compared with the previous year. Over the period under review, imports showed a slight curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by X%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2023, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, clay imports contracted to $X in 2023. In general, imports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by X%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2022, and then reduced in the following year.

Imports by Country

Italy represented the major importing country with an import of around X tons, which reached X% of total imports. Germany (X tons) took a X% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by the Netherlands (X%), Poland (X%), Spain (X%), Belgium (X%) and France (X%).

Italy experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports of clays. Poland and the Netherlands experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. France (X%), Germany (X%), Belgium (X%) and Spain (X%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2023, the share of Italy increased by X percentage points. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Italy ($X), Germany ($X) and Belgium ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2023, together accounting for X% of total imports. The Netherlands, Poland, Spain and France lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further X%.

Among the main importing countries, Poland, with a CAGR of X%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in the European Union stood at $X per ton in 2023, increasing by X% against the previous year. Over the last eleven years, it increased at an average annual rate of X%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2022 when the import price increased by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices reached the peak figure in 2023 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per ton), while Italy ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Spain (X%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform