Belgium: Market for Refractory Products of Siliceous or Diatomite Earths 2024

Market Size for Refractory Products of Siliceous or Diatomite Earths in Belgium

The Belgian market for refractory products of siliceous or diatomite earths contracted to $X in 2021, waning by -9.6% against the previous year. Overall, consumption showed a abrupt decrease. Consumption of peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production of Refractory Products of Siliceous or Diatomite Earths in Belgium

In value terms, production of refractory products of siliceous or diatomite earths shrank modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the production volume increased by 117% against the previous year. Production of peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Exports of Refractory Products of Siliceous or Diatomite Earths

Exports from Belgium

For the third year in a row, Belgium recorded growth in shipments abroad of refractory products of siliceous or diatomite earths, which increased by 40% to X tons in 2021. Over the period under review, exports saw a buoyant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 2,294%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of the exports of remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, exports of refractory products of siliceous or diatomite earths soared to $X in 2021. Overall, exports posted prominent growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when exports increased by 473%. Over the period under review, the exports of hit record highs at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons) was the main destination for exports of refractory products of siliceous or diatomite earths from Belgium, accounting for a 49% share of total exports. Moreover, exports of refractory products of siliceous or diatomite earths to the Netherlands exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, France (X tons), threefold. Venezuela (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 14% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to the Netherlands stood at +165.3%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: France (+44.8% per year) and Venezuela (+10.6% per year).

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X), France ($X) and Venezuela ($X) appeared to be the largest markets for refractory products of siliceous or diatomite earths exported from Belgium worldwide, together comprising 60% of total exports. These countries were followed by Brazil, Germany, Luxembourg, Bulgaria, New Zealand, Israel and Canada, which together accounted for a further 22%.

In terms of the main countries of destination, Brazil, with a CAGR of +301.4%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average export price for refractory products of siliceous or diatomite earths amounted to $X per ton, rising by 14% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, continues to indicate a abrupt curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the average export price increased by 118% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was New Zealand ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to the Netherlands ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Brazil (+24.9%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Refractory Products of Siliceous or Diatomite Earths

Imports into Belgium

In 2021, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in purchases abroad of refractory products of siliceous or diatomite earths, when their volume decreased by -36.2% to X tons. In general, imports continue to indicate a abrupt slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when imports increased by 113%. Over the period under review, imports of reached the peak figure at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, imports of refractory products of siliceous or diatomite earths surged to $X in 2021. Overall, imports showed a abrupt shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 32%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of imports of failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons), Spain (X tons) and France (X tons) were the main suppliers of imports of refractory products of siliceous or diatomite earths to Belgium, with a combined 74% share of total imports. Morocco, Portugal, China and Germany lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 24%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Morocco (with a CAGR of +47.4%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest refractory products of siliceous or diatomite earths suppliers to Belgium were Morocco ($X), France ($X) and the Netherlands ($X), with a combined 76% share of total imports.

Morocco, with a CAGR of +52.6%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average import price for refractory products of siliceous or diatomite earths amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 82% against the previous year. Overall, the import price posted a prominent expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the average import price increased by 386% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2021, the average import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per ton), while the price for the Netherlands ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (+39.6%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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