Spain: Kaolin Market 2024

Kaolin Market Size in Spain

In 2021, the Spanish kaolin market increased by 48% to $X, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. In general, the total consumption indicated resilient growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.8% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption increased by +51.7% against 2019 indices. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Kaolin Production in Spain

In value terms, kaolin production stood at $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production showed a deep downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 29% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Kaolin Exports

Exports from Spain

In 2021, approx. X tons of kaolin and kaolinic clays were exported from Spain; surging by 6.3% on 2020. Over the period under review, exports posted a buoyant increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when exports increased by 66%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, kaolin exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Overall, total exports indicated a slight increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports decreased by -13.2% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when exports increased by 51%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Algeria (X tons) was the main destination for kaolin exports from Spain, with a 54% share of total exports. Moreover, kaolin exports to Algeria exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Italy (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Portugal (X tons), with a 5.7% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Algeria amounted to +39.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Italy (+11.1% per year) and Portugal (+2.5% per year).

In value terms, Algeria ($X), Italy ($X) and India ($X) appeared to be the largest markets for kaolin exported from Spain worldwide, together accounting for 54% of total exports.

India, with a CAGR of +25.2%, saw the highest growth rate of 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

The average kaolin export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 16% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, recorded a deep slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 an increase of 24%. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Morocco ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Algeria ($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 Morocco (+5.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Kaolin Imports

Imports into Spain

In 2021, supplies from abroad of kaolin and kaolinic clays was finally on the rise to reach X tons after three years of decline. Overall, imports posted a resilient increase. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, kaolin imports surged to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a buoyant expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +8.5% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Ukraine (X tons) constituted the largest kaolin supplier to Spain, with a 75% share of total imports. Moreover, kaolin imports from Ukraine exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Turkey (X tons), more than tenfold. Romania (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 6% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Ukraine stood at +14.7%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Turkey (+24.5% per year) and Romania (+181.8% per year).

In value terms, Ukraine ($X) constituted the largest supplier of kaolin and kaolinic clays to Spain, comprising 65% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by France ($X), with a 6.4% share of total imports. It was followed by the UK, with a 5.4% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value from Ukraine stood at +12.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: France (+3.1% per year) and the UK (-5.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average kaolin import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, with a decrease of -5.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price saw a pronounced curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the average import price increased by 6.3% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Portugal (+6.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :