Ireland: Clay Market 2022

Clay Market Size in Ireland

The Irish clay market skyrocketed to $X in 2021, increasing by 41% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the total consumption indicated resilient growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.3% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Clay Production in Ireland

In value terms, clay production reduced slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 16% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2020, and then shrank modestly in the following year.

Clay Exports

Exports from Ireland

Clay exports from Ireland skyrocketed to X tons in 2021, with an increase of 50% on 2020 figures. Overall, total exports indicated a strong expansion from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +9.9% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +72.7% against 2018 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by 90%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, clay exports soared to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports saw prominent growth. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

The UK (X tons) was the main destination for clay exports from Ireland, with a 45% share of total exports. Moreover, clay exports to the UK exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Germany (X tons), sixfold. Saudi Arabia (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 5.5% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to the UK totaled +8.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Germany (+2.5% per year) and Saudi Arabia (0.0% per year).

In value terms, the UK ($X) remains the key foreign market for clay exports from Ireland, comprising 30% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Germany ($X), with an 11% share of total exports. It was followed by Saudi Arabia, with a 7% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to the UK totaled +9.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Germany (+1.8% per year) and Saudi Arabia (0.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average clay export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, rising by 2.3% against the previous year. Overall, the export price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 an increase of 59%. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Mongolia ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to the UK ($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 Mongolia (+12.3%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Clay Imports

Imports into Ireland

In 2021, the amount of clays imported into Ireland skyrocketed to X tons, rising by 19% on the previous year's figure. In general, total imports indicated a buoyant increase from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +8.6% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports decreased by -7.3% against 2016 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 53% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2017 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, clay imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a strong expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.0% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +75.4% against 2017 indices. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2021, the UK (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of clay to Ireland, with a 58% share of total imports. Moreover, clay imports from the UK exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Cyprus (X tons), sixfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by the United States (X tons), with an 8.9% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from the UK totaled +4.0%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Cyprus (0.0% per year) and the United States (+24.6% per year).

In value terms, the UK ($X) constituted the largest supplier of clay to Ireland, comprising 56% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United States ($X), with an 18% share of total imports. It was followed by Germany, with a 7.5% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from the UK was relatively modest. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the United States (+24.3% per year) and Germany (+24.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average clay import price amounted to $X per ton, surging by 9.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, continues to indicate a perceptible decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 an increase of 15%. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the price for Cyprus ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (+6.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform

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