Belgium: Clay Market 2022

Clay Market Size in Belgium

The Belgian clay market rose remarkably to $X in 2021, with an increase of 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the total consumption indicated a slight expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption increased by +88.2% against 2015 indices. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Clay Production in Belgium

In value terms, clay production reached $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, the total production indicated a measured expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production decreased by -11.3% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 42% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Clay Exports

Exports from Belgium

In 2021, after five years of decline, there was significant growth in overseas shipments of clays, when their volume increased by 28% to X tons. Over the period under review, exports saw a strong increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 199% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, clay exports surged to $X in 2021. Overall, exports posted mild growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 116%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Germany (X tons) was the main destination for clay exports from Belgium, with a 27% share of total exports. Moreover, clay exports to Germany exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, France (X tons), twofold. The UK (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Germany was relatively modest. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: France (+3.5% per year) and the UK (+35.8% per year).

In value terms, Germany ($X) remains the key foreign market for clay exports from Belgium, comprising 39% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by France ($X), with a 15% share of total exports. It was followed by the Netherlands, with a 9.4% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to Germany was relatively modest. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: France (+2.6% per year) and the Netherlands (+4.5% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average clay export price amounted to $X per ton, reducing by -3.2% against the previous year. In general, the export price recorded a noticeable curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the average export price increased by 10%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Sweden ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Norway ($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 Austria (+5.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Clay Imports

Imports into Belgium

In 2021, approx. X tons of clays were imported into Belgium; picking up by 3% on 2020. Overall, imports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when imports increased by 4.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure in 2021 and are likely to see steady growth in the near future.

In value terms, clay imports surged to $X in 2021. In general, imports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when imports increased by 30%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Brazil (X tons), Germany (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons) were the main suppliers of clay imports to Belgium, together comprising 56% of total imports. Spain, the United States, India, France and the UK lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 43%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were in India (with a CAGR of +22.3%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest clay suppliers to Belgium were Brazil ($X), the United States ($X) and the Netherlands ($X), together accounting for 63% of total imports. Germany, the UK, France, India and Spain lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 20%.

Spain, with a CAGR of +22.3%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average clay import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 14% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the average import price increased by 32%. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the UK (+7.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform

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