Hungary: Expanded Clays Market 2025

Expanded Clays Market Size in Hungary

In 2021, the Hungarian expanded clays market increased by 8.3% to $X, rising for the fourth year in a row after two years of decline. Overall, consumption saw a buoyant expansion. Expanded clays consumption peaked in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Expanded Clays Exports

Exports from Hungary

In 2021, overseas shipments of exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays and foamed slag decreased by -57.2% to X tons, falling for the fourth consecutive year after two years of growth. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a buoyant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 677%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, expanded clays exports declined significantly to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, saw a prominent increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 448%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at $X in 2020, and then reduced sharply in the following year.

Exports by Country

Romania (X tons) was the main destination for expanded clays exports from Hungary, accounting for a 89% share of total exports. Moreover, expanded clays exports to Romania exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Switzerland (X tons), more than tenfold.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Romania stood at +45.7%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Switzerland (+164.7% per year) and Slovenia (-35.3% per year).

In value terms, Romania ($X) remains the key foreign market for exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays and foamed slag exports from Hungary, comprising 68% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Switzerland ($X), with an 11% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to Romania stood at +24.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Switzerland (+112.3% per year) and Slovenia (-11.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average expanded clays export price amounted to $X per ton, waning by -18.8% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, recorded a modest expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when the average export price increased by 101% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2016 to 2021, the average export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Switzerland ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Romania ($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 Slovenia (+36.0%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Expanded Clays Imports

Imports into Hungary

For the third consecutive year, Hungary recorded growth in purchases abroad of exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays and foamed slag, which increased by 10% to X tons in 2021. Overall, total imports indicated a buoyant expansion from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.1% 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 +55.4% against 2018 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when imports increased by 24%. Imports peaked in 2021 and are likely to continue growth in the near future.

In value terms, expanded clays imports contracted remarkably to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports recorded strong growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when imports increased by 122%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2020, and then dropped remarkably in the following year.

Imports by Country

Austria (X tons), Serbia (X tons) and Norway (X tons) were the main suppliers of expanded clays imports to Hungary, together comprising 75% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Norway (with a CAGR of +1,384.0%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($X) constituted the largest supplier of exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays and foamed slag to Hungary, comprising 43% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Serbia ($X), with an 11% share of total imports. It was followed by Germany, with an 8.6% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value from China amounted to +108.8%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Serbia (+55.2% per year) and Germany (+4.5% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average expanded clays import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, dropping by -26.4% against the previous year. Overall, import price indicated a pronounced expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the average import price increased by 79%. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2020, and then declined notably in the following year.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Denmark (+4.2%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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