Common Clay Market

The article forecasts a positive outlook for the global common clay market, with an expected increase in consumption and value over the next eight years. It provides detailed insights into consumption patterns, production volumes, import and export trends, and key players in the market. Key highlights include the top consuming and producing countries, import and export volumes, and average prices. Overall, the article offers a comprehensive analysis of the common clay market's performance and future growth prospects.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for common clay worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +4.0% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 327M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +5.7% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $112.4B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Common Clay

In 2022, approx. 239M tons of common clay were consumed worldwide; remaining stable against the previous year's figure. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.0% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Global consumption peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

The global common clay market revenue fell modestly to $71.9B in 2022, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +4.0% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Over the period under review, the global market attained the maximum level at $75B in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (42M tons), the United States (24M tons) and Russia (21M tons), together accounting for 37% of global consumption.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by the United States (with a CAGR of +5.8%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest common clay markets worldwide were Brazil ($8.7B), China ($7.3B) and the United States ($6.7B), with a combined 32% share of the global market.

Among the main consuming countries, the United States, with a CAGR of +7.8%, recorded the highest growth rate of market size over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The countries with the highest levels of common clay per capita consumption in 2022 were Russia (148 kg per person), Canada (111 kg per person) and Germany (97 kg per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Russia (with a CAGR of +5.3%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Common Clay

Global common clay production stood at 239M tons in 2022, flattening at the previous year's figure. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the production volume increased by 14%. Over the period under review, global production attained the maximum volume in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, common clay production declined to $70.8B in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +4.2% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when the production volume increased by 18% against the previous year. Global production peaked at $75B in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were China (42M tons), the United States (25M tons) and Russia (21M tons), with a combined 37% share of global production.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the United States (with a CAGR of +5.7%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Common Clay

In 2022, supplies from abroad of common clay increased by 5.7% to 5.8M tons, rising for the second year in a row after three years of decline. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when imports increased by 11% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports reached the maximum at 6.2M tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, common clay imports expanded markedly to $717M in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 19%. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports By Country

In 2022, Italy (1.5M tons), distantly followed by Belgium (824K tons), Spain (689K tons), the Netherlands (333K tons), Bangladesh (326K tons) and France (304K tons) represented the key importers of common clay, together committing 70% of total imports. The following importers - Poland (172K tons), Canada (163K tons), Mexico (161K tons), the UK (122K tons) and Malaysia (118K tons) - together made up 13% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Spain (with a CAGR of +26.5%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Italy ($140M) constitutes the largest market for imported common clay worldwide, comprising 19% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Spain ($48M), with a 6.7% share of global imports. It was followed by the Netherlands, with a 5.8% share.

In Italy, common clay imports expanded at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Spain (+21.8% per year) and the Netherlands (+4.4% per year).

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average common clay import price amounted to $124 per ton, standing approx. at the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 11%. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the maximum at $125 per ton in 2021, and then declined in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the UK ($263 per ton), while Belgium ($34 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+8.3%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Common Clay

In 2022, shipments abroad of common clay increased by 24% to 6.1M tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, common clay exports expanded sharply to $605M in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 24% against the previous year. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in the near future.

Exports By Country

Germany represented the major exporting country with an export of around 2M tons, which finished at 33% of total exports. India (811K tons) held a 13% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by the United States (7.6%), Portugal (6.7%) and Spain (6.7%). The following exporters - Turkey (271K tons), the Netherlands (238K tons), Malaysia (200K tons), Belgium (184K tons), the UK (180K tons), Senegal (146K tons), France (116K tons) and the Czech Republic (110K tons) - together made up 24% of total exports.

Exports from Germany decreased at an average annual rate of -1.4% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Turkey (+34.0%), India (+31.5%), Belgium (+17.4%), Portugal (+11.5%), the UK (+11.1%), Malaysia (+6.6%), France (+5.9%) and the Czech Republic (+5.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Turkey emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +34.0% from 2012-2022. The Netherlands and the United States experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Senegal (-2.5%) and Spain (-2.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of India, Turkey, Portugal, Belgium and the UK increased by +12, +4.2, +3.8, +2.3 and +1.7 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United States ($129M), Spain ($98M) and Germany ($88M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, together comprising 52% of global exports. India, the Netherlands, France, Portugal, Malaysia, Senegal, the UK, Belgium, Turkey and the Czech Republic lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 35%.

Among the main exporting countries, India, with a CAGR of +20.8%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average common clay export price amounted to $100 per ton, with a decrease of -13.7% against the previous year. Overall, the export price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the average export price increased by 15%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $116 per ton, and then shrank in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was France ($291 per ton), while Turkey ($40 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Malaysia (+5.4%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform