Global Fireclay Market to Show Modest Growth with Anticipated CAGR of +0.6% from 2023 to 2030, Reaching $1.4B

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The global fireclay market is poised for continued growth driven by rising demand worldwide. Market performance is predicted to slow down slightly, with a projected CAGR of +0.6% in volume and +5.2% in value from 2023 to 2030. By the end of 2030, the market volume is expected to reach 13M tons and the market value is projected to hit $1.4B in nominal prices.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for fireclay worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next seven years. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +0.6% for the period from 2023 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 13M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +5.2% for the period from 2023 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $1.4B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Fireclay

In 2023, approx. 13M tons of fireclay were consumed worldwide; with an increase of 6.1% compared with 2022 figures. Overall, the total consumption indicated a strong expansion from 2013 to 2023: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2023 figures, consumption increased by +67.9% against 2016 indices. Global consumption peaked in 2023 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

The global fireclay market revenue totaled $1B in 2023, surging by 7.2% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). In general, the total consumption indicated a prominent increase from 2013 to 2023: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2023 figures, consumption increased by +57.3% against 2016 indices. Over the period under review, the global market hit record highs in 2023 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Consumption By Country

The country with the largest volume of fireclay consumption was Ukraine (7.1M tons), accounting for 56% of total volume. Moreover, fireclay consumption in Ukraine exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, Russia (2.7M tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Kazakhstan (1M tons), with an 8.2% share.

In Ukraine, fireclay consumption expanded at an average annual rate of +15.5% over the period from 2013-2023. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of consumption growth: Russia (+1.9% per year) and Kazakhstan (+2.5% per year).

In value terms, the largest fireclay markets worldwide were Ukraine ($311M), Russia ($257M) and China ($137M), together comprising 70% of the global market.

Ukraine, with a CAGR of +16.2%, saw the highest growth rate of market size among the main consuming countries over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2023, the highest levels of fireclay per capita consumption was registered in Ukraine (165 kg per person), followed by Kazakhstan (54 kg per person), Russia (19 kg per person) and Italy (8.3 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of fireclay was estimated at 1.6 kg per person.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the fireclay per capita consumption in Ukraine stood at +16.0%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Kazakhstan (+1.2% per year) and Russia (+1.9% per year).

Production

World Production of Fireclay

Global fireclay production amounted to 13M tons in 2023, flattening at the previous year. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% from 2013 to 2023; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when the production volume increased by 22%. Over the period under review, global production attained the peak volume at 13M tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2023, production failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, fireclay production expanded slightly to $1.1B in 2023 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the period from 2013 to 2023; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the production volume increased by 16%. Over the period under review, global production reached the peak level at $1.1B in 2021; afterwards, it flattened through to 2023.

Production By Country

Ukraine (7.6M tons) remains the largest fireclay producing country worldwide, accounting for 60% of total volume. Moreover, fireclay production in Ukraine exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Russia (2.1M tons), fourfold. China (1.2M tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 9.6% share.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of volume in Ukraine totaled +2.9%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Russia (+7.8% per year) and China (+0.4% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Fireclay

Global fireclay imports dropped to 1.7M tons in 2023, with a decrease of -9% compared with 2022 figures. In general, imports continue to indicate a perceptible decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 32%. As a result, imports attained the peak of 3.7M tons. From 2022 to 2023, the growth of global imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, fireclay imports dropped modestly to $211M in 2023. Overall, imports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 31% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $309M. From 2022 to 2023, the growth of global imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports By Country

Russia (604K tons) and Italy (492K tons) represented roughly 65% of total imports in 2023. It was distantly followed by Poland (108K tons), comprising a 6.4% share of total imports. The following importers - the Netherlands (42K tons), Germany (42K tons), Turkey (41K tons), Spain (32K tons) and Tunisia (31K tons) - each finished at an 11% share of total imports.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by Turkey (with a CAGR of +21.3%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Italy ($39M), Russia ($28M) and Poland ($25M) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2023, with a combined 44% share of global imports. Germany, Turkey, Spain, the Netherlands and Tunisia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 15%.

Among the main importing countries, Germany, with a CAGR of +12.7%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

The average fireclay import price stood at $124 per ton in 2023, picking up by 9.6% against the previous year. Overall, import price indicated a temperate expansion from 2013 to 2023: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2023 figures, fireclay import price increased by +49.2% against 2021 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 when the average import price increased by 36%. Global import price peaked 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 ($282 per ton), while Russia ($46 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland (+8.8%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Fireclay

In 2023, the amount of fireclay exported worldwide shrank sharply to 1.6M tons, dropping by -34.9% against 2022. Over the period under review, exports showed a deep slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 45%. Over the period under review, the global exports reached the peak figure at 7.6M tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2023, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, fireclay exports contracted to $340M in 2023. In general, exports recorded a noticeable decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 51% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $641M. From 2022 to 2023, the growth of the global exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports By Country

In 2023, China (733K tons) represented the main exporter of fireclay, comprising 47% of total exports. Ukraine (448K tons) took the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by the United States (133K tons) and Kazakhstan (115K tons). All these countries together took near 44% share of total exports. Russia (26K tons) took a relatively small share of total exports.

From 2013 to 2023, the biggest increases were recorded for Russia (with a CAGR of +10.2%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced a decline in the exports figures.

In value terms, China ($234M) remains the largest fireclay supplier worldwide, comprising 69% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by the United States ($44M), with a 13% share of global exports. It was followed by Ukraine, with a 9.2% share.

In China, fireclay exports expanded at an average annual rate of +1.6% over the period from 2013-2023. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the United States (+0.6% per year) and Ukraine (-15.1% per year).

Export Prices By Country

In 2023, the average fireclay export price amounted to $216 per ton, surging by 34% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price showed resilient growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 when the average export price increased by 85%. The global export price peaked in 2023 and is expected to retain 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 the United States ($328 per ton), while Kazakhstan ($9.3 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+7.9%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform