Worked Slate Market

The global worked slate market is expected to see growth in both consumption and value over the period from 2022 to 2030, with a forecasted increase in market volume to 5.8M tons and market value to $5.7B by the end of 2030. China leads in both consumption and production of worked slate, while Spain dominates in exports. Key trends include a slight decrease in consumption, fluctuating production volumes, and varying import and export prices across different countries.

Market Forecast

Driven by rising demand for worked slate worldwide, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +1.0% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 5.8M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +2.8% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $5.7B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Worked Slate

In 2022, approx. 5.4M tons of worked slate were consumed worldwide; therefore, remained relatively stable against 2021. Overall, consumption continues to indicate a slight decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the consumption volume increased by 4.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global consumption attained the peak volume at 6.4M tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

The global worked slate market size fell modestly to $4.5B 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). Over the period under review, consumption, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 9.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global market hit record highs at $4.6B in 2021, and then shrank in the following year.

Consumption By Country

China (1.3M tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of worked slate consumption, comprising approx. 24% of total volume. Moreover, worked slate consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, the United States (581K tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was held by India (456K tons), with an 8.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in China was relatively modest. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of consumption growth: the United States (+4.2% per year) and India (+2.1% per year).

In value terms, China ($727M), the United States ($587M) and India ($459M) were the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2022, with a combined 39% share of the global market. Germany, Russia, France, the UK, Pakistan, Turkey, Indonesia, Canada, Brazil and Saudi Arabia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 34%.

Saudi Arabia, with a CAGR of +10.9%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to market size among the main consuming countries 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 worked slate per capita consumption in 2022 were France (4.4 kg per person), the UK (3.6 kg per person) and Saudi Arabia (2.6 kg per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Saudi Arabia (with a CAGR of +10.5%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Worked Slate

In 2022, global production of worked slate fell modestly to 5.5M tons, waning by -2.7% against 2021 figures. Over the period under review, production showed a slight descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the production volume increased by 4.5%. Global production peaked at 6.5M tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, worked slate production reduced modestly to $4.4B in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 14%. Global production peaked at $4.5B in 2021, and then shrank slightly in the following year.

Production By Country

China (1.6M tons) remains the largest worked slate producing country worldwide, comprising approx. 29% of total volume. Moreover, worked slate production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Spain (567K tons), threefold. The United States (496K tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 9.1% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in China stood at -1.5%. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Spain (-0.1% per year) and the United States (+6.2% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Worked Slate

In 2022, approx. 938K tons of worked slate were imported worldwide; waning by -1.7% against the year before. Overall, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 11% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports reached the maximum at 1M tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, worked slate imports rose significantly to $757M in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 24%. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Imports By Country

France (297K tons) and the UK (248K tons) represented roughly 58% of total imports in 2022. The United States (87K tons) held the next position in the ranking, followed by Germany (62K tons). All these countries together took near 16% share of total imports. The following importers - Belgium (27K tons), Ireland (24K tons), Spain (17K tons) and Australia (16K tons) - together made up 9% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by Ireland (with a CAGR of +5.2%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest worked slate importing markets worldwide were France ($242M), the UK ($184M) and the United States ($59M), with a combined 64% share of global imports.

Among the main importing countries, the UK, with a CAGR of +5.9%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

The average worked slate import price stood at $807 per ton in 2022, picking up by 9.5% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.2%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the average import price increased by 12% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Belgium ($1,226 per ton), while the United States ($671 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Belgium (+4.0%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Worked Slate

In 2022, global exports of worked slate contracted to 998K tons, with a decrease of -11.3% compared with 2021. Overall, exports continue to indicate a slight decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 11% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports attained the peak figure at 1.2M tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, worked slate exports rose modestly to $764M in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 23% against the previous year. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Exports By Country

Spain was the major exporter of worked slate in the world, with the volume of exports amounting to 494K tons, which was near 50% of total exports in 2022. China (243K tons) held a 24% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Brazil (12%). The following exporters - Canada (19K tons), India (18K tons) and Portugal (15K tons) - each finished at a 5.2% share of total exports.

Spain experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of exports of worked slate. At the same time, Brazil (+1.0%) and Portugal (+1.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Brazil emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +1.0% from 2012-2022. By contrast, India (-1.9%), Canada (-2.0%) and China (-5.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Spain (+7.6 p.p.) and Brazil (+2.9 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the global exports from 2012-2022, the share of China (-10.5 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Spain ($400M) remains the largest worked slate supplier worldwide, comprising 52% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by China ($198M), with a 26% share of global exports. It was followed by Brazil, with a 6.7% share.

In Spain, worked slate exports increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: China (+2.7% per year) and Brazil (+0.2% per year).

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average worked slate export price amounted to $766 per ton, growing by 15% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.3%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

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 India ($1,147 per ton), while Portugal ($290 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by India (+12.8%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform