Bulgaria: Expanded Clays Market 2024

Expanded Clays Market Size in Bulgaria

After two years of decline, the Bulgarian expanded clays market increased by 17% to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, consumption, however, showed a deep setback. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Expanded Clays Production in Bulgaria

In value terms, expanded clays production soared to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, showed a deep slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 77%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Expanded Clays Exports

Exports from Bulgaria

In 2021, overseas shipments of exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays and foamed slag increased by 158% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after four years of decline. Overall, exports, however, recorded a abrupt decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when exports increased by 615% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, expanded clays exports soared to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed a abrupt slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 455%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Romania (X tons) was the main destination for expanded clays exports from Bulgaria, with a 92% share of total exports. Moreover, expanded clays exports to Romania exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, North Macedonia (X tons), more than tenfold.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Romania totaled +24.3%.

In value terms, Romania ($X) emerged as the key foreign market for exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays and foamed slag exports from Bulgaria, comprising 87% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by North Macedonia ($X), with a 9.5% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to Romania totaled +18.8%.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average expanded clays export price amounted to $X per ton, with a decrease of -13.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, posted a modest expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the average export price increased by 244%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2021, the average export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat for the major external markets. In 2021, the country with the highest price was North Macedonia ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Romania amounted to $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Hungary (+18.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Expanded Clays Imports

Imports into Bulgaria

In 2021, imports of exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays and foamed slag into Bulgaria rose markedly to X tons, increasing by 5.2% on the previous year. In general, imports recorded a buoyant expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 137% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, expanded clays imports rose markedly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a temperate expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +90.2% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when imports increased by 20% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Moldova (X tons), Turkey (X tons) and Slovenia (X tons) were the main suppliers of expanded clays imports to Bulgaria, together comprising 92% of total imports. These countries were followed by the Netherlands, which accounted for a further 3%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for the Netherlands (with a CAGR of +48.7%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest expanded clays suppliers to Bulgaria were Slovenia ($X), Turkey ($X) and Moldova ($X), together accounting for 77% of total imports. The Netherlands lagged somewhat behind, comprising a further 5.7%.

In terms of the main suppliers, the Netherlands, with a CAGR of +31.0%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, 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 expanded clays import price amounted to $X per ton, rising by 8.4% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, saw a pronounced downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 an increase of 51%. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was Slovenia ($X per ton), while the price for Moldova ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Turkey (+1.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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