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U.S. - Clays - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights
Report Update: Mar 1, 2025

U.S. - Clays - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights

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Aug 1, 2024

U.S. Clay Export Plummets to $916M in 2023

U.S. Clay Exports

In 2023, approx. 3M tons of clays were exported from the United States; with a decrease of -16.6% on the year before. Overall, exports recorded a pronounced setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when exports increased by 17%. The exports peaked at 4.2M tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2023, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, clay exports fell to $916M (IndexBox estimates) in 2023. Over the period under review, exports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 22% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $1.1B in 2022, and then dropped in the following year.U.S. Clay Exports By Country (Million USD)

COUNTRYExport Value of Clay in U.S. (million USD)
20132014201520162017201820192020202120222023
Canada106113111107112112123115120137141
Mexico82.483.385.990.994.510411294.811210799.2
China79.996.088.186.710512110896.411510693.9
Japan12413112611112511110879.510612792.6
India16.420.821.427.826.932.236.633.741.047.243.1
South Korea39.745.143.241.439.337.438.835.940.644.935.4
Germany35.540.033.834.236.431.834.832.236.136.531.0
Finland59.853.751.639.630.037.633.028.537.632.126.0
Others375384383357382393347311398422354
Total9199679448959519819428281,0061,060916

Exports by Country

Canada (841K tons), Mexico (534K tons) and China (300K tons) were the main destinations of clay exports from the United States, with a combined 55% share of total exports. Japan, India, South Korea, Germany and Finland lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 21%.

From 2013 to 2023, the biggest increases were recorded for India (with a CAGR of +7.3%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

In value terms, the largest markets for clay exported from the United States were Canada ($141M), Mexico ($99M) and China ($94M), together accounting for 36% of total exports. Japan, India, South Korea, Germany and Finland lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 25%.

Among the main countries of destination, India, with a CAGR of +10.1%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports by Type

Kaolin and kaolinic clays (1.6M tons) was the largest type of clays exported from the United States, accounting for a 53% share of total exports. Moreover, kaolin and kaolinic clays exceeded the volume of the second product type, bentonite (785K tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was taken by clays for construction and industrial use (497K tons), with a 16% share.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the volume of kaolin and kaolinic clays exports totaled -4.4%. With regard to the other exported products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: bentonite (-1.2% per year) and clays for construction and industrial use (-7.0% per year).

In value terms, kaolin and kaolinic clays ($533M) remains the largest type of clays exported from the United States, comprising 58% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by bentonite ($186M), with a 20% share of total exports. It was followed by clays for construction and industrial use, with a 17% share.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the value of kaolin and kaolinic clays exports was relatively modest. With regard to the other exported products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: bentonite (+1.6% per year) and clays for construction and industrial use (-6.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2023, the clay price amounted to $302 per ton (FOB, US), rising by 3.6% against the previous year. Over the period from 2013 to 2023, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.3%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2022 when the average export price increased by 14% against the previous year. The export price peaked in 2023 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the UK ($624 per ton), while the average price for exports to Canada ($167 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Thailand (+5.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the clay market in the U.S.. Within it, you will discover the latest data on market trends and opportunities by country, consumption, production and price developments, as well as the global trade (imports and exports). The forecast exhibits the market prospects through 2030.

Product coverage:

  • Prodcom 08122140 - Kaolin
  • Prodcom 08122160 - Kaolinitic clays (ball and plastic clays)
  • Prodcom 08122210 - Bentonite
  • Prodcom 08122230 - Fireclay
  • Prodcom 08122250 - Common clays and shales for construction use (excluding bentonite, fireclay, expanded clays, kaolin and kaolinic clays), a ndalusite, kyanite and sillimanite, mullite, chamotte or dinas earths

Country coverage:

  • United States

Data coverage:

  • Market volume and value
  • Per Capita consumption
  • Forecast of the market dynamics in the medium term
  • Trade (exports and imports) in the U.S.
  • Export and import prices
  • Market trends, drivers and restraints
  • Key market players and their profiles

Reasons to buy this report:

  • Take advantage of the latest data
  • Find deeper insights into current market developments
  • Discover vital success factors affecting the market

This report is designed for manufacturers, distributors, importers, and wholesalers, as well as for investors, consultants and advisors.

In this report, you can find information that helps you to make informed decisions on the following issues:

  1. How to diversify your business and benefit from new market opportunities
  2. How to load your idle production capacity
  3. How to boost your sales on overseas markets
  4. How to increase your profit margins
  5. How to make your supply chain more sustainable
  6. How to reduce your production and supply chain costs
  7. How to outsource production to other countries
  8. How to prepare your business for global expansion

While doing this research, we combine the accumulated expertise of our analysts and the capabilities of artificial intelligence. The AI-based platform, developed by our data scientists, constitutes the key working tool for business analysts, empowering them to discover deep insights and ideas from the marketing data.

  1. 1. INTRODUCTION

    Making Data-Driven Decisions to Grow Your Business

    1. REPORT DESCRIPTION
    2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND AI PLATFORM
    3. DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
    4. GLOSSARY AND SPECIFIC TERMS

  2. 2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

    A Quick Overview of Market Performance

    1. KEY FINDINGS
    2. MARKET TRENDS This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO

  3. 3. MARKET OVERVIEW

    Understanding the Current State of The Market and Its Prospects

    1. MARKET SIZE
    2. MARKET STRUCTURE
    3. TRADE BALANCE
    4. PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION
    5. MARKET FORECAST TO 2030

  4. 4. MOST PROMISING PRODUCT

    Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business

    This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO
    1. TOP PRODUCTS TO DIVERSIFY YOUR BUSINESS
    2. BEST-SELLING PRODUCTS
    3. MOST CONSUMED PRODUCT
    4. MOST TRADED PRODUCT
    5. MOST PROFITABLE PRODUCT FOR EXPORT

  5. 5. MOST PROMISING SUPPLYING COUNTRIES

    Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain

    This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO
    1. TOP COUNTRIES TO SOURCE YOUR PRODUCT
    2. TOP PRODUCING COUNTRIES
    3. TOP EXPORTING COUNTRIES
    4. LOW-COST EXPORTING COUNTRIES

  6. 6. MOST PROMISING OVERSEAS MARKETS

    Choosing the Best Countries to Boost Your Exports

    This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO
    1. TOP OVERSEAS MARKETS FOR EXPORTING YOUR PRODUCT
    2. TOP CONSUMING MARKETS
    3. UNSATURATED MARKETS
    4. TOP IMPORTING MARKETS
    5. MOST PROFITABLE MARKETS

  7. 7. PRODUCTION

    The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry

    1. PRODUCTION VOLUME AND VALUE

  8. 8. IMPORTS

    The Largest Import Supplying Countries

    1. IMPORTS FROM 2012–2024
    2. IMPORTS BY COUNTRY
    3. IMPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY

  9. 9. EXPORTS

    The Largest Destinations for Exports

    1. EXPORTS FROM 2012–2024
    2. EXPORTS BY COUNTRY
    3. EXPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY

  10. 10. PROFILES OF MAJOR PRODUCERS

    The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles

    This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO

  11. LIST OF TABLES

    1. Key Findings In 2024
    2. Market Volume, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
    3. Market Value, 2012–2024
    4. Per Capita Consumption In 2012-2024
    5. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    6. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    7. Import Prices, By Country Of Origin, 2012–2024
    8. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    9. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    10. Export Prices, By Country Of Destination, 2012–2024

  12. LIST OF FIGURES

    1. Market Volume, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
    2. Market Value, 2012–2024
    3. Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, In Physical Terms, 2012-2024
    4. Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, In Value Terms, 2012-2024
    5. Trade Balance, In Physical Terms, 2012-2024
    6. Trade Balance, In Value Terms, 2012-2024
    7. Per Capita Consumption, 2012-2024
    8. Market Volume Forecast to 2030
    9. Market Value Forecast to 2030
    10. Products: Market Size And Growth, By Type
    11. Products: Average Per Capita Consumption, By Type
    12. Products: Exports And Growth, By Type
    13. Products: Export Prices And Growth, By Type
    14. Production Volume And Growth
    15. Exports And Growth
    16. Export Prices And Growth
    17. Market Size And Growth
    18. Per Capita Consumption
    19. Imports And Growth
    20. Import Prices
    21. Production, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
    22. Production, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
    23. Imports, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
    24. Imports, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
    25. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
    26. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    27. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    28. Import Prices, By Country Of Origin, 2012–2024
    29. Exports, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
    30. Exports, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
    31. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
    32. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    33. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    34. Export Prices, By Country Of Destination, 2012–2024

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