Benelux: Natural Stone Sett Market 2024

Natural Stone Sett Market Size in Benelux

After two years of growth, the Benelux natural stone sett market decreased by -45.9% to $X in 2022. Overall, consumption continues to indicate a pronounced slump. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2021, and then declined dramatically in the following year.

Natural Stone Sett Production in Benelux

In value terms, natural stone sett production fell sharply to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, saw a buoyant expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when the production volume increased by 124% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Natural Stone Sett Exports

Exports in Benelux

In 2022, after six years of growth, there was significant decline in shipments abroad of natural stone setts, kerbstones and flagstones, when their volume decreased by -41.1% to X tons. Overall, exports showed a slight reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 66% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2021, and then contracted dramatically in the following year.

In value terms, natural stone sett exports declined markedly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports showed a pronounced slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when exports increased by 74%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2021, and then fell dramatically in the following year.

Exports by Country

Belgium represented the major exporter of natural stone setts, kerbstones and flagstones in Benelux, with the volume of exports finishing at X tons, which was approx. 71% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by the Netherlands (X tons), achieving a 29% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to natural stone sett exports from Belgium stood at -3.0%. At the same time, the Netherlands (+4.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, the Netherlands emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Benelux, with a CAGR of +4.9% from 2012-2022. The Netherlands (+13 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Belgium saw its share reduced by -13.2% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, the largest natural stone sett supplying countries in Benelux were Belgium ($X) and the Netherlands ($X).

The Netherlands, with a CAGR of +4.1%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Benelux stood at $X per ton in 2022, shrinking by -16.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price recorded a mild downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 an increase of 26%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per ton), while Belgium amounted to $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (-0.8%).

Natural Stone Sett Imports

Imports in Benelux

In 2022, overseas purchases of natural stone setts, kerbstones and flagstones decreased by -43.8% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Over the period under review, imports showed a perceptible shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 54% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2021, and then contracted notably in the following year.

In value terms, natural stone sett imports fell markedly to $X in 2022. Overall, imports saw a slight decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 54% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X, and then contracted markedly in the following year.

Imports by Country

Belgium (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons) represented roughly 86% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Luxembourg (X tons), achieving a 14% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by Luxembourg (with a CAGR of +5.1%), while imports for the other leaders experienced a decline in the imports figures.

In value terms, the largest natural stone sett importing markets in Benelux were the Netherlands ($X), Belgium ($X) and Luxembourg ($X).

Luxembourg, with a CAGR of +6.8%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the imports figures.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Benelux amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 3.9% against the previous year. Import price indicated a temperate expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, natural stone sett import price increased by +57.8% against 2017 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the import price increased by 20% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices reached the maximum in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per ton), while Belgium ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+4.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform