Europe: Calcareous Building Stone Market 2024

Calcareous Building Stone Market Size in Europe

In 2021, the Europe calcareous building stone market increased by 5.1% to $X for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Overall, consumption recorded a noticeable reduction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 5.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Calcareous Building Stone Production in Europe

In value terms, calcareous building stone production expanded sharply to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production saw a pronounced decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when the production volume increased by 6.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Calcareous Building Stone Exports

Exports in Europe

In 2021, approx. X tons of calcareous building stone were exported in Europe; picking up by 24% compared with the previous year. In general, exports showed a resilient increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by 65%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, calcareous building stone exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 28%. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Portugal represented the key exporter of calcareous building stone in Europe, with the volume of exports finishing at X tons, which was approx. 53% of total exports in 2021. France (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 14% share, followed by Croatia (9.2%), Austria (7.7%), Germany (5%) and Belgium (4.5%). Greece (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Exports from Portugal increased at an average annual rate of +9.8% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, France (+26.9%), Greece (+17.7%), Belgium (+12.0%) and Austria (+3.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, France emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Europe, with a CAGR of +26.9% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Croatia (-4.5%) and Germany (-5.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Portugal, France, Belgium and Greece increased by +17, +11, +1.9 and +1.7 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, Portugal ($X) remains the largest calcareous building stone supplier in Europe, comprising 58% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Belgium ($X), with a 12% share of total exports. It was followed by Croatia, with a 7.3% share.

In Portugal, calcareous building stone exports increased at an average annual rate of +9.1% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Belgium (+3.6% per year) and Croatia (+0.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Europe amounted to $X per ton, remaining constant against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price showed a mild decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of 28%. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Belgium ($X per ton), while Austria ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Greece (+32.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Calcareous Building Stone Imports

Imports in Europe

In 2021, imports of calcareous building stone in Europe soared to X tons, jumping by 35% on the previous year's figure. Total imports indicated a perceptible increase from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +59.2% against 2017 indices. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, calcareous building stone imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Total imports indicated a strong expansion 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, imports increased by +36.3% against 2018 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 61%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

The purchases of the three major importers of calcareous building stone, namely Switzerland, the UK and Italy, represented more than half of total import. Germany (X tons) held the next position in the ranking, followed by France (X tons). All these countries together took near 19% share of total imports. Portugal (X tons), Ireland (X tons), Romania (X tons), Russia (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons) and Austria (X tons) held a relatively small share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by Ireland (with a CAGR of +70.0%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the UK ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported calcareous building stone in Europe, comprising 34% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by France ($X), with a 13% share of total imports. It was followed by Switzerland, with a 9.8% share.

In the UK, calcareous building stone imports expanded at an average annual rate of +33.8% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: France (+5.4% per year) and Switzerland (+0.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Europe stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 4.5% against the previous year. Import price indicated modest growth from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, calcareous building stone import price decreased by -4.8% against 2018 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 45%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2021, the import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Austria (+9.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform