Which Country Exports the Most Clays in the World?

Other Non-Ferrous Metal Ores May 28, 2018

Blog Blog / Mining / Other Non-Ferrous Metal Ores

Author: Sergey Avramenko

PositionHead of Global Markets Research Team

In 2016, approx. 14M tonnes of clays were exported worldwide; shrinking by -14.5% against the previous year level. Overall, clays exports continue to indicate a temperate decrease. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2010, when export increased by 23% against the previous year level. Global clays export peaked of 17M tonnes in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2016, it stood at a somewhat lower level.

In value terms, clays exports amounted to $1.8B in 2016. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% from 2007 to 2016; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations over the period under review. Global clays export peaked of $2B in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2016, it failed to regain its strength.

Top Clays Exporting Countries in the World

1. China (235.7 million USD)

2. Ukraine (210.7 million USD)

3. Germany (181.8 million USD)

4. Spain (87.7 million USD)

5. India (86.9 million USD)

6. Netherlands (69.7 million USD)

7. Turkey (62.1 million USD)

8. Italy (40.1 million USD)

9. Czech Republic (33.7 million USD)

10. Malaysia (15.0 million USD)

11. Portugal (10.7 million USD)

Clays Exports By Country

In 2016, Ukraine (3.6M tonnes), and Germany (3M tonnes) were the main exporters of clays in the globe, together recording near 47% of total exports. It was distantly followed by India (1.8M tonnes), and China (1.2M tonnes), together mixed up 22% share of total clays exports. Spain (439K tonnes), Turkey (392K tonnes), Malaysia (326K tonnes), Portugal (325K tonnes), Czech Republic (299K tonnes), the Netherlands (258K tonnes), and Italy (241K tonnes) followed a long way behind this figure.

From 2007 to 2016, the most notable growth rate of clays exports, among the main exporting countries, was attained by Malaysia (+26.0% per year), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest clays markets worldwide were China ($236M), Ukraine ($211M) and Germany ($182M), together accounting for 35% of global exports.Spain, India, the Netherlands, Turkey, Italy, Czech Republic, Malaysia and Portugal lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 23%.

Malaysia (+17.5% per year) experienced the highest rates of growth with regard to the clays exports, in terms of the main exporting countries, over the last 9 year period, while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Clays Export Prices By Country

The average clays export price stood at $128 per tonne in 2016, jumping by 17% against the previous year. Over the last nine years it increased at an average annual rate of +4.8%.The growth pace was the most rapid in 2008, an increase of 29% y-o-y. Global clays export peaked in 2016, and is expected to retain its growth in the near future.

Export prices varied noticeably by country of destination. the country with the highest export prices was the Netherlands ($270 per tonne), while Portugal ($33 per tonne) was among the lowest.

From 2007 to 2016, the most notable growth rate of clays export prices was attained by Turkey (+10.6% per year), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

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