Netherlands: Argon Market 2024

Argon Market Size in the Netherlands

The Dutch argon market fell sharply to $X in 2022, which is down by -21.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption, however, continues to indicate temperate growth. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X, and then shrank sharply in the following year.

Argon Production in the Netherlands

In value terms, argon production contracted significantly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, the total production indicated a buoyant expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production increased by +23.3% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the production volume increased by 47% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X, and then declined markedly in the following year.

Argon Exports

Exports from the Netherlands

In 2022, argon exports from the Netherlands shrank to X cubic meters, which is down by -10.9% compared with the year before. In general, total exports indicated prominent growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +24.7% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 75% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X cubic meters in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, argon exports declined to $X in 2022. Overall, total exports indicated moderate growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +14.9% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 46% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2021, and then declined in the following year.

Exports by Country

The UK (X cubic meters), Belgium (X cubic meters) and France (X cubic meters) were the main destinations of argon exports from the Netherlands, with a combined 65% share of total exports. Ireland, Germany, Spain, Israel and Italy lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 27%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Ireland (with a CAGR of +74.7%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for argon exported from the Netherlands were the UK ($X), France ($X) and Belgium ($X), with a combined 61% share of total exports. Spain, Ireland, Germany, Italy and Israel lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 30%.

Ireland, with a CAGR of +77.8%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average argon export price amounted to $X per cubic meter, rising by 2.5% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, showed a slight decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 an increase of 20% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the peak figure at $X per cubic meter in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was France ($X per cubic meter), while the average price for exports to Belgium ($X per cubic meter) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to France (+6.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Argon Imports

Imports into the Netherlands

In 2022, overseas purchases of argon increased by 15% to X cubic meters, rising for the second year in a row after five years of decline. In general, imports, however, showed a slight reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 116%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X cubic meters in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, argon imports totaled $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a noticeable decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 92%. Imports peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Belgium (X cubic meters) constituted the largest supplier of argon to the Netherlands, with a 87% share of total imports. It was followed by Romania (X cubic meters), with a 2.4% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from Belgium was relatively modest. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Romania (+89.5% per year) and Germany (-23.2% per year).

In value terms, Belgium ($X) constituted the largest supplier of argon to the Netherlands, comprising 88% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Germany ($X), with a 3.9% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Belgium was relatively modest. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Germany (-22.1% per year) and Romania (+91.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average argon import price amounted to $X per cubic meter, falling by -6.4% against the previous year. Overall, the import price saw a noticeable reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the average import price increased by 77%. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the maximum at $X per cubic meter in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per cubic meter), while the price for Romania ($X per cubic meter) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (+1.3%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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