MENA: Fireclay Market 2024

Fireclay Market Size in MENA

The MENA's fireclay market declined to $X in 2021, reducing by -5.6% against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, showed a slight decrease. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Fireclay Production in MENA

In value terms, fireclay production contracted to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, recorded a mild decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 22%. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Fireclay Exports

Exports in MENA

In 2021, approx. X tons of fireclay were exported in MENA; with a decrease of -83.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a noticeable downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 381% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons, and then shrank notably in the following year.

In value terms, fireclay exports shrank remarkably to $X in 2021. In general, exports showed a slight setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 121% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X, and then declined notably in the following year.

Exports by Country

The biggest shipments were from Saudi Arabia (X tons), Turkey (X tons) and Israel (X tons), together amounting to 83% of total export. Iran (X tons) took a 9.1% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Lebanon (4.5%). Egypt (X tons) took a minor share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were in Lebanon (with a CAGR of +137.5%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Saudi Arabia ($X) emerged as the largest fireclay supplier in MENA, comprising 71% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Turkey ($X), with a 6.9% share of total exports. It was followed by Israel, with a 6.3% share.

In Saudi Arabia, fireclay exports increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Turkey (+10.7% per year) and Israel (-14.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in MENA amounted to $X per ton, growing by 67% against the previous year. Export price indicated a modest expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, fireclay export price decreased by -23.2% against 2019 indices. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was Saudi Arabia ($X per ton), while Turkey ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Saudi Arabia (-0.6%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Fireclay Imports

Imports in MENA

In 2021, the amount of fireclay imported in MENA amounted to X tons, remaining constant against 2020 figures. In general, imports, however, showed a perceptible slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 18%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, fireclay imports expanded rapidly to $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, saw a slight decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 18% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

The United Arab Emirates (X tons) and Turkey (X tons) dominates imports structure, together generating 78% of total imports. Iran (X tons) ranks next in terms of the total imports with a 6.7% share, followed by Algeria (6.5%) and Tunisia (4.7%). Palestine (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Palestine (with a CAGR of +26.4%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Turkey ($X), the United Arab Emirates ($X) and Iran ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, together comprising 77% of total imports. These countries were followed by Palestine, Tunisia and Algeria, which together accounted for a further 18%.

Among the main importing countries, Palestine, with a CAGR of +27.4%, 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

The import price in MENA stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 14% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.5%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when the import price increased by 27% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2020 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, the country with the highest price was Iran ($X per ton), while Algeria ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United Arab Emirates (+8.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform