Europe: Common Clay Market 2024

Common Clay Market Size in Europe

The Europe common clay market expanded rapidly to $X in 2022, picking up by 14% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Common Clay Production in Europe

In value terms, common clay production declined to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, showed a deep downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the production volume increased by 67%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Common Clay Exports

Exports in Europe

In 2022, overseas shipments of common clay increased by 11% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after four years of decline. In general, exports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when exports increased by 12% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, common clay exports dropped to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when exports increased by 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Germany (X tons) was the major exporter of common clay, achieving 55% of total exports. Portugal (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by Spain (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 30% share of total exports. The following exporters - France (X tons), the UK (X tons) and the Czech Republic (X tons) - each finished at a 9.8% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to common clay exports from Germany stood at -2.0%. At the same time, Portugal (+11.4%), France (+6.1%), the Czech Republic (+5.8%) and the UK (+1.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Portugal emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Europe, with a CAGR of +11.4% from 2012-2022. The Netherlands experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Spain (-2.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Portugal and France increased by +7.9 and +1.6 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest common clay supplying countries in Europe were Spain ($X), Germany ($X) and the Netherlands ($X), with a combined 69% share of total exports. France, Portugal, the UK and the Czech Republic lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 24%.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Portugal, with a CAGR of +14.7%, saw 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 2022, the export price in Europe amounted to $X per ton, with a decrease of -11.6% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the export price increased by 15% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton, and then fell in the following year.

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 France ($X per ton), while Germany ($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 (+4.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Common Clay Imports

Imports in Europe

In 2022, the amount of common clay imported in Europe declined to X tons, remaining stable against the previous year. Overall, imports saw a mild descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 22%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, common clay imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when imports increased by 22%. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Italy represented the major importer of common clay in Europe, with the volume of imports finishing at X tons, which was near 45% of total imports in 2022. Belgium (X tons) held an 18% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by France (6.7%), the Netherlands (6%) and Spain (5.9%). The following importers - Poland (X tons) and the UK (X tons) - each resulted at an 8.1% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to common clay imports into Italy stood at -2.2%. At the same time, Spain (+23.6%) and Poland (+1.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Spain emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Europe, with a CAGR of +23.6% from 2012-2022. By contrast, the UK (-1.2%), Belgium (-1.7%), France (-2.9%) and the Netherlands (-8.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Spain increased by +5.3 percentage points. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Italy ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported common clay in Europe, comprising 34% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Spain ($X), with an 11% share of total imports. It was followed by the Netherlands, with a 9.3% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Italy totaled +1.2%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Spain (+21.6% per year) and the Netherlands (+3.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Europe stood at $X per ton in 2022, jumping by 19% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +4.3%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the import price increased by 20% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices attained the maximum in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the UK ($X per ton), while Belgium ($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 (+13.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform