Portugal: Kaolin Market 2024

Kaolin Market Size in Portugal

After three years of growth, the Portuguese kaolin market decreased by -7.4% to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, consumption saw a pronounced decrease. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Kaolin Production in Portugal

In value terms, kaolin production fell to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production saw a perceptible reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the production volume increased by 31% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Kaolin Exports

Exports from Portugal

In 2021, the amount of kaolin and kaolinic clays exported from Portugal soared to X tons, growing by 20% against 2020 figures. In general, total exports indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +8.0% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +44.7% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 50%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum in 2021 and are likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

In value terms, kaolin exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, total exports indicated a remarkable increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +7.0% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +62.2% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 44% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure in 2021 and are likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

Spain (X tons) was the main destination for kaolin exports from Portugal, with a 72% share of total exports. Moreover, kaolin exports to Spain exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Egypt (X tons), sevenfold. Turkey (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 5.8% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to Spain stood at +61.5%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Egypt (+3.3% per year) and Turkey (-1.3% per year).

In value terms, Spain ($X) remains the key foreign market for kaolin and kaolinic clays exports from Portugal, comprising 51% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Egypt ($X), with a 17% share of total exports. It was followed by Turkey, with an 8% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Spain totaled +49.5%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Egypt (+6.3% per year) and Turkey (-2.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average kaolin export price amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 9% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Saudi Arabia ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Spain ($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 Egypt (+2.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Kaolin Imports

Imports into Portugal

In 2021, approx. X tons of kaolin and kaolinic clays were imported into Portugal; with an increase of 22% against the previous year's figure. Overall, total imports indicated a mild increase from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports decreased by -18.3% against 2017 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when imports increased by 58% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, kaolin imports soared to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when imports increased by 38%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2021, the UK (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of kaolin to Portugal, accounting for a 77% share of total imports. Moreover, kaolin imports from the UK exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Spain (X tons), sixfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Morocco (X tons), with a 4.9% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from the UK stood at +3.6%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Spain (+4.9% per year) and Morocco (+3.3% per year).

In value terms, the UK ($X) constituted the largest supplier of kaolin and kaolinic clays to Portugal, comprising 69% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Spain ($X), with a 17% share of total imports. It was followed by France, with a 5.2% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from the UK totaled +2.9%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Spain (+11.9% per year) and France (-11.6% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average kaolin import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, rising by 5.9% against the previous year. In general, the import price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 12%. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Spain (+6.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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