EU: Fireclay Market 2024

Fireclay Market Size in the EU

In 2021, the EU fireclay market decreased by -4.1% to $X, falling for the second consecutive year after two years of growth. The total consumption indicated prominent growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.4% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption decreased by -8.0% against 2019 indices. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Fireclay Production in the EU

In value terms, fireclay production contracted to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated buoyant growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.6% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production decreased by -11.4% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when the production volume increased by 34% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Fireclay Exports

Exports in the EU

In 2021, exports of fireclay in the European Union contracted slightly to X tons, which is down by -4.5% on the year before. In general, exports showed a abrupt decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 31%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, fireclay exports rose rapidly to $X in 2021. Total exports indicated a measured expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports decreased by -11.9% against 2018 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when exports increased by 61% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

The Czech Republic (X tons), Spain (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons) and Germany (X tons) represented roughly 82% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Poland (X tons), comprising a 4.7% share of total exports. The following exporters - Italy (X tons) and Belgium (X tons) - together made up 7.4% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by the Netherlands (with a CAGR of +45.5%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

In value terms, the largest fireclay supplying countries in the European Union were Germany ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and Spain ($X), together comprising 65% of total exports.

In terms of the main exporting countries, the Netherlands, with a CAGR of +52.0%, recorded 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.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in the European Union amounted to $X per ton, growing by 11% against the previous year. Overall, the export price posted a resilient expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 an increase of 77%. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per ton), while the Czech Republic ($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 (+21.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Fireclay Imports

Imports in the EU

In 2021, supplies from abroad of fireclay was finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Overall, imports enjoyed a resilient expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by 41%. The volume of import peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, fireclay imports soared to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate prominent growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 58% against the previous year. The level of import peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

Italy was the major importing country with an import of about X tons, which reached 64% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Poland (X tons), generating a 22% share of total imports. Bulgaria (X tons), Germany (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons) and Hungary (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Italy was also the fastest-growing in terms of the fireclay imports, with a CAGR of +15.1% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Germany (+14.5%), Bulgaria (+6.5%), Poland (+6.1%) and Hungary (+5.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, the Netherlands (-8.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Italy increased by +21 percentage points. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Italy ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported fireclay in the European Union, comprising 48% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Poland ($X), with a 20% share of total imports. It was followed by Germany, with an 8.7% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in Italy amounted to +16.2%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Poland (+4.6% per year) and Germany (+14.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in the European Union amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 4.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the import price increased by 12%. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per ton), while Hungary ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+13.1%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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