Netherlands: Fireclay Market 2024

Fireclay Market Size in the Netherlands

In 2021, after five years of growth, there was decline in the Dutch fireclay market, when its value decreased by -0.4% to $X. Overall, consumption, however, posted a remarkable increase. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2020, and then fell modestly in the following year.

Fireclay Production in the Netherlands

In value terms, fireclay production contracted slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, continues to indicate resilient growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 76% against the previous year. Fireclay production peaked at $X in 2020, and then contracted in the following year.

Fireclay Exports

Exports from the Netherlands

Fireclay exports from the Netherlands reduced modestly to X tons in 2021, standing approx. at the year before. In general, exports, however, saw significant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 12,496% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, fireclay exports expanded rapidly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, enjoyed a significant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 1,932% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Germany (X tons) was the main destination for fireclay exports from the Netherlands, accounting for a 78% share of total exports. Moreover, fireclay exports to Germany exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, France (X tons), fivefold. Belgium (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 2.2% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to Germany stood at +46.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: France (+175.1% per year) and Belgium (+58.8% per year).

In value terms, Germany ($X) remains the key foreign market for fireclay exports from the Netherlands, comprising 83% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by France ($X), with a 12% share of total exports. It was followed by Belgium, with a 2.7% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to Germany stood at +56.3%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: France (+175.5% per year) and Belgium (+50.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average fireclay export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 7.5% against the previous year. Overall, the export price saw a moderate increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when the average export price increased by 960%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2021, the average export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Belgium ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to France ($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 Germany (+6.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Fireclay Imports

Imports into the Netherlands

In 2021, overseas purchases of fireclay increased by 17% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. Over the period under review, imports, however, saw a deep setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 29%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, fireclay imports soared to $X in 2021. In general, total imports indicated a moderate increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +79.7% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 81%. Imports peaked in 2021 and are likely to continue growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Germany (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of fireclay to the Netherlands, accounting for a 71% share of total imports. Moreover, fireclay imports from Germany exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, China (X tons), fourfold. France (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 7.3% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Germany stood at -10.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: China (+21.7% per year) and France (-12.8% per year).

In value terms, the largest fireclay suppliers to the Netherlands were China ($X), Germany ($X) and France ($X), with a combined 86% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Poland, which accounted for a further 5.6%.

Poland, with a CAGR of +107.9%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average fireclay import price amounted to $X per ton, growing by 3.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price continues to indicate a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 an increase of 46%. The import price peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while the price for Germany ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+10.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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