Benelux: Worked Slate Market 2024

Worked Slate Market Size in Benelux

The Benelux worked slate market shrank dramatically to $X in 2022, falling by -18.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Worked Slate Production in Benelux

In value terms, worked slate production dropped sharply to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, enjoyed significant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 1,478%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Worked Slate Exports

Exports in Benelux

In 2022, overseas shipments of worked slate decreased by -44.7% to X tons for the first time since 2015, thus ending a six-year rising trend. Over the period under review, exports recorded a noticeable contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 76%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2021, and then contracted significantly in the following year.

In value terms, worked slate exports fell markedly to $X in 2022. Overall, exports recorded a perceptible setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when exports increased by 55%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $X in 2021, and then dropped remarkably in the following year.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Belgium (X tons) was the key exporter of worked slate, comprising 77% of total exports. It was distantly followed by the Netherlands (X tons) and Luxembourg (X tons), together making up a 23% share of total exports.

Belgium was also the fastest-growing in terms of the worked slate exports, with a CAGR of -1.9% from 2012 to 2022. The Netherlands (-3.7%) and Luxembourg (-12.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Belgium (+10 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of Luxembourg (-9.4 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Belgium ($X) remains the largest worked slate supplier in Benelux, comprising 64% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by the Netherlands ($X), with a 28% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Belgium totaled -2.9%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the Netherlands (+1.9% per year) and Luxembourg (-10.5% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Benelux amounted to $X per ton, shrinking by -9.2% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the export price increased by 27% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per ton), while Belgium ($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 (+5.7%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Worked Slate Imports

Imports in Benelux

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in purchases abroad of worked slate, when their volume decreased by -24.8% to X tons. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a perceptible shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when imports increased by 24%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, worked slate imports contracted significantly to $X in 2022. In general, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 34% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X, and then contracted rapidly in the following year.

Imports by Country

Belgium was the largest importer of worked slate in Benelux, with the volume of imports resulting at X tons, which was near 69% of total imports in 2022. Luxembourg (X tons) took a 17% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by the Netherlands (14%).

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to worked slate imports into Belgium stood at -4.2%. Luxembourg experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. the Netherlands (-7.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Luxembourg (+5.9 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of the Netherlands (-6.4 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Belgium ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported worked slate in Benelux, comprising 71% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Luxembourg ($X), with a 17% share of total imports.

In Belgium, worked slate imports remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Luxembourg (+1.0% per year) and the Netherlands (-2.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Benelux amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 9.3% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +4.1%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 22%. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Belgium ($X per ton), while the Netherlands ($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 (+6.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform