EU: Fireclay Market 2024

Fireclay Market Size in the EU

The EU fireclay market declined notably to $X in 2023, with a decrease of X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2022 to 2023, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Fireclay Production in the EU

In value terms, fireclay production shrank sharply to $X in 2023 estimated in export price. Overall, production recorded a abrupt setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the production volume increased by X%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2023, production remained at a lower figure.

Fireclay Exports

Exports in the EU

In 2023, fireclay exports in the European Union shrank slightly to X tons, which is down by X% against 2022. Overall, exports, however, saw a resilient expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2022 when exports increased by X% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons, and then contracted slightly in the following year.

In value terms, fireclay exports rose slightly to $X in 2023. In general, exports, however, recorded prominent growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of X%. The level of export peaked in 2023 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

The biggest shipments were from Germany (X tons), Spain (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons), together resulting at X% of total export. Poland (X tons) ranks next in terms of the total exports with an X% share, followed by the Czech Republic (X%) and Romania (X%). Belgium (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by Romania (with a CAGR of X%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest fireclay supplying countries in the European Union were the Netherlands ($X), Spain ($X) and the Czech Republic ($X), with a combined X% share of total exports. Poland, Belgium, Germany and Romania lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further X%.

Romania, with a CAGR of X%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to 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 under review, the export price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the export price increased by X%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2021; however, from 2022 to 2023, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

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 ($X per ton), while Romania ($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 Czech Republic (X%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Fireclay Imports

Imports in the EU

In 2023, fireclay imports in the European Union contracted sharply to X tons, with a decrease of X% on 2022. Overall, imports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by X%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2021; however, from 2022 to 2023, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, fireclay imports contracted rapidly to $X in 2023. Over the period under review, imports, however, recorded a temperate expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of X%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at $X in 2021; however, from 2022 to 2023, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2023, Italy (X tons) represented the key importer of fireclay, mixing up X% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Poland (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons), together making up a X% share of total imports. The following importers - Austria (X tons), Germany (X tons), Spain (X tons), Hungary (X tons) and Bulgaria (X tons) - together made up X% of total imports.

Imports into Italy increased at an average annual rate of X% from 2012 to 2023. At the same time, Austria (X%), Spain (X%) and Germany (X%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Austria emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the European Union, with a CAGR of X% from 2012-2023. Hungary experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, the Netherlands (X%), Bulgaria (X%) and Poland (X%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2023, the share of Italy, Austria, Spain and Germany increased by X, X, X and X percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Italy ($X), Poland ($X) and Germany ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2023, together accounting for X% of total imports. Spain, the Netherlands, Austria, Bulgaria and Hungary lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further X%.

Austria, with a CAGR of X%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries 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, rising by X% against the previous year. Import price indicated a notable increase from 2012 to 2023: its price 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, fireclay import price increased by X% against 2016 indices. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

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

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

Source: IndexBox Platform