GCC: Common Clay Market 2025

Common Clay Market Size in GCC

The GCC common clay market contracted to $X in 2022, reducing by -14.6% against the previous year. Overall, consumption showed a mild downturn. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Common Clay Production in GCC

In value terms, common clay production expanded to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production showed a buoyant expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 708% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Common Clay Exports

Exports in GCC

In 2022, shipments abroad of common clay was finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a four-year declining trend. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a drastic downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 542%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, common clay exports rose notably to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, faced a precipitous shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 153% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

The United Arab Emirates dominates exports structure, reaching X tons, which was approx. 96% of total exports in 2022. Saudi Arabia (X tons) took a minor share of total exports.

Exports from the United Arab Emirates decreased at an average annual rate of -16.2% from 2012 to 2022. Saudi Arabia (-11.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. The shares of the largest exporters remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) remains the largest common clay supplier in GCC, comprising 83% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Saudi Arabia ($X), with a 7.6% share of total exports.

In the United Arab Emirates, common clay exports declined by an average annual rate of -24.1% over the period from 2012-2022.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in GCC amounted to $X per ton, waning by -57.7% against the previous year. Overall, the export price showed a abrupt downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 an increase of 272%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2022, the export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Saudi Arabia ($X per ton), while the United Arab Emirates totaled $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Saudi Arabia (+0.6%).

Common Clay Imports

Imports in GCC

In 2022, the amount of common clay imported in GCC dropped significantly to X tons, shrinking by -17.2% compared with the previous year. Total imports indicated a noticeable increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 32%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, common clay imports declined notably to $X in 2022. In general, imports showed a mild descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 36% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X, and then shrank rapidly in the following year.

Imports by Country

The United Arab Emirates prevails in imports structure, resulting at X tons, which was near 86% of total imports in 2022. Oman (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by Kuwait (X tons). All these countries together held near 13% share of total imports.

The United Arab Emirates was also the fastest-growing in terms of the common clay imports, with a CAGR of +11.5% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Kuwait (+4.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Oman (-5.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of the United Arab Emirates (+45 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of Oman (-10.8 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported common clay in GCC, comprising 68% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Kuwait ($X), with a 16% share of total imports.

In the United Arab Emirates, common clay imports expanded at an average annual rate of +9.0% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Kuwait (+5.9% per year) and Oman (-10.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in GCC amounted to $X per ton, reducing by -22.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price continues to indicate a abrupt contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 27%. Over the period under review, import prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Kuwait ($X per ton), while the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Kuwait (+1.5%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform