France: Kaolin Market 2024

Kaolin Market Size in France

After two years of decline, the French kaolin market increased by 2.7% to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, consumption continues to indicate a abrupt shrinkage. Kaolin consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Kaolin Production in France

In value terms, kaolin production amounted to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, continues to indicate a noticeable reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the production volume increased by 17% against the previous year. Kaolin production peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Kaolin Exports

Exports from France

After two years of decline, shipments abroad of kaolin and kaolinic clays increased by 14% to X tons in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, kaolin exports surged to $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Spain (X tons), Italy (X tons) and Denmark (X tons) were the main destinations of kaolin exports from France, together comprising 42% of total exports. These countries were followed by Germany, Egypt, the Netherlands, Turkey, Vietnam, Belgium, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, India and Indonesia, which together accounted for a further 40%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Vietnam (with a CAGR of +16.5%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Spain ($X), Italy ($X) and Germany ($X) appeared to be the largest markets for kaolin exported from France worldwide, together accounting for 43% of total exports. These countries were followed by Belgium, Egypt, Turkey, the Netherlands, Vietnam, India, Denmark, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and Hungary, which together accounted for a further 31%.

In terms of the main countries of destination, Vietnam, with a CAGR of +16.4%, recorded the highest growth rate of 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

The average kaolin export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 5.4% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.4%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the average export price increased by 5.8%. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the maximum in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Belgium ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Denmark ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Belgium (+5.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Kaolin Imports

Imports into France

In 2021, overseas purchases of kaolin and kaolinic clays increased by 13% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. In general, imports, however, recorded a perceptible decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when imports increased by 20% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, kaolin imports surged to $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, saw a perceptible slump. Imports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

The Czech Republic (X tons), Belgium (X tons) and the UK (X tons) were the main suppliers of kaolin imports to France, with a combined 61% share of total imports. Ukraine, Germany, Morocco, Spain and Brazil lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 34%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Ukraine (with a CAGR of +25.6%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the UK ($X), Belgium ($X) and Germany ($X) constituted the largest kaolin suppliers to France, together accounting for 64% of total imports. These countries were followed by the Czech Republic, Ukraine, Spain, Morocco and Brazil, which together accounted for a further 25%.

Among the main suppliers, Ukraine, with a CAGR of +34.2%, 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 kaolin import price amounted to $X per ton, growing by 11% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Spain (+14.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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