Which Country Imports the Most Clays in the World?

Other Non-Ferrous Metal Ores May 28, 2018

Blog Blog / Mining / Other Non-Ferrous Metal Ores

Author: Anna Sergeeva

PositionMarket Analyst

In 2016, approx. 18M tonnes of clays were imported worldwide; surging by 3% against the previous year figure. In general, clays imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2010, when it surged by 16% year-to-year. Global clays import peaked of 19M tonnes in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2016, it stood at a somewhat lower level.

In value terms, clays imports amounted to $1.8B in 2016. In general, clays imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Global clays import peaked of $2.1B in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2016, it stood at a somewhat lower level.

Top Clays Importing Countries in the World

1. Italy (193.9 million USD)

2. Germany (160.6 million USD)

3. Indonesia (86.8 million USD)

4. Netherlands (81.3 million USD)

5. Canada (69.0 million USD)

6. France (66.6 million USD)

7. China (64.1 million USD)

8. Russia (54.6 million USD)

9. Poland (54.5 million USD)

10. Belgium (49.9 million USD)

11. India (39.4 million USD)

12. United Arab Emirates (29.3 million USD)

Clays Imports By Country

In 2016, Italy (3.1M tonnes), distantly followed by India (1.8M tonnes), China (1.6M tonnes), Russia (1.1M tonnes), and Belgium (930K tonnes) represented the key importers of clays, together constituting 48% of total imports. The following importers - Germany (747K tonnes), Poland (625K tonnes), Canada (603K tonnes), the Netherlands (523K tonnes), United Arab Emirates (449K tonnes), France (443K tonnes), and Indonesia (439K tonnes) together made up 21% of total imports.

From 2007 to 2016, the most notable growth rate of clays imports, among the main importing countries, was attained by Indonesia (+14.5% per year), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest clays markets worldwide were Italy ($194M), Germany ($161M) and Indonesia ($87M), together comprising 24% of global imports.

Indonesia (+18.3% per year) experienced the highest rates of growth with regard to the clays imports, among the main importing countries, over the last 9 years, while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Clays Import Prices By Country

The average clays import price stood at $102 per tonne in 2016, reducing by -4.7% against the previous year. Over the last nine years it increased at an average annual rate of +1.3%.The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2008, when import increased by 20% year-to-year. Over the period under review, average clays import price attained its maximum level of $119 per tonne in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2016, it stood at a somewhat lower level.

There were significant differences in the average import prices amongst major importing countries. In 2016, the country with the highest import prices was Germany ($215 per tonne), while India ($22 per tonne) was among the lowest.

From 2007 to 2016, the most notable growth rate of clays import prices was attained by China (+7.7% per year), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

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