Global Clays Market Overview 2020

Clays Market Size

In 2019, the global clays market increased by X% to $X, rising for the third year in a row after two years of decline. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the period from 2007 to 2019; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when the market value increased by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global market reached the peak level in 2019 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

Clays Production

In value terms, clays production soared to $X in 2019 estimated in export prices. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the period from 2007 to 2019; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. As a result, production reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of clays production in 2019 were Germany (X tonnes), Ukraine (X tonnes) and the U.S. (X tonnes), together comprising X% of global production. These countries were followed by the Netherlands, Spain, Senegal and Portugal, which together accounted for a further X 2007 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of clays production, amongst the main producing countries, was attained by Senegal, while clays production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Clays Exports

Exports

In 2019, overseas shipments of clays (excluding fireclay, bentonite, kaolin and other kaolinic clays and expanded clay) were finally on the rise to reach X tonnes for the first time since 2016, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2010 with an increase of X% against the previous year. Global exports peaked at X tonnes in 2011; however, from 2012 to 2019, exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, clays exports fell slightly to $X in 2019. In general, exports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2010 with an increase of X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global exports reached the peak figure at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2019, exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Germany (X tonnes) and Ukraine (X tonnes) represented roughly X% of total exports of clays (excluding fireclay, bentonite, kaolin and other kaolinic clays and expanded clay) in 2019. It was distantly followed by Spain (X tonnes) and the U.S. (X tonnes), together constituting a X% share of total exports. The following exporters - India (X tonnes), Senegal (X tonnes), Malaysia (X tonnes), Portugal (X tonnes), Morocco (X tonnes) and Thailand (X tonnes) - together made up X% of total exports.

From 2007 to 2019, the biggest increases were in Morocco, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest clays supplying countries worldwide were Ukraine ($X), the U.S. ($X) and Germany ($X), with a combined X% share of global exports. Spain, Senegal, Thailand, India, Portugal, Malaysia and Morocco lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further X saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2019, the average clays export price amounted to $X per tonne, dropping by -X% against the previous year. Over the period from 2007 to 2019, it increased at an average annual rate of +X%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2008 when the average export price increased by X% y-o-y. Global export price peaked at $X per tonne in 2018, and then dropped in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by the country of origin; the country with the highest price was the U.S. ($X per tonne), while Germany ($X per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Portugal, while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Clays Imports

Imports

In 2019, purchases abroad of clays (excluding fireclay, bentonite, kaolin and other kaolinic clays and expanded clay) decreased by -X% to X tonnes, falling for the second consecutive year after four years of growth. Overall, imports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2010 with an increase of X% y-o-y. Over the period under review, global imports reached the peak figure at X tonnes in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2019, imports failed to regain the momentum.

In value terms, clays imports amounted to $X in 2019. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the period from 2007 to 2019; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2008 with an increase of X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports hit record highs in 2019 and are likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

Italy was the key importer of clays (excluding fireclay, bentonite, kaolin and other kaolinic clays and expanded clay) in the world, with the volume of imports amounting to X tonnes, which was near X% of total imports in 2019. It was distantly followed by Spain (X tonnes), Bangladesh (X tonnes), France (X tonnes) and Free Zones (X tonnes), together constituting a X% share of total imports. The following importers - the Netherlands (X tonnes), Belgium (X tonnes), Malaysia (X tonnes), India (X tonnes), Turkey (X tonnes), Canada (X tonnes) and the United Arab Emirates (X tonnes) - together made up X% of total imports.

Imports into Italy decreased at an average annual rate of -X% from 2007 to 2019. At the same time, Free Zones (+X%), Bangladesh (+X%), Spain (+X%), the United Arab Emirates (+X%) and Malaysia (+X%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Free Zones emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +X% from 2007-2019. France and Canada experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, India (-X%), Turkey (-X%), Belgium (-X%) and the Netherlands (-X%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2007 to 2019, the share of Spain, Bangladesh, Free Zones, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates increased by +X%, +X%, +X%, +X% and +X% percentage points, while Turkey (-X p.p.), Belgium (-X p.p.), the Netherlands (-X p.p.) and Italy (-X p.p.) saw their share reduced. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Italy ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported clays (excluding fireclay, bentonite, kaolin and other kaolinic clays and expanded clay) worldwide, comprising X% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by the Netherlands ($X), with a X% share of global imports. It was followed by France, with a X% share.

In Italy, clays imports shrank by an average annual rate of -X% over the period from 2007-2019. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the Netherlands (+X% per year) and France (+X% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average clays import price stood at $X per tonne in 2019, rising by X% against the previous year. Over the last twelve years, it increased at an average annual rate of +X%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2008 an increase of X% y-o-y. Global import price peaked in 2019 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2019, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per tonne), while Free Zones ($X per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands, while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox AI Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :

What are the largest markets for clays (excluding fireclay, bentonite, kaolin and other kaolinic clays and expanded clay) in the world?

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The countries with the highest volumes of clays consumption in 2019 were Italy (1.6M tonnes), the Netherlands (817K tonnes) and Spain (594K tonnes), with a combined 44% share of global consumption. The U.S., Ukraine, Germany, Bangladesh, Free Zones, Belgium, France, Canada and Portugal lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 35%.

What are the largest producers of clays (excluding fireclay, bentonite, kaolin and other kaolinic clays and expanded clay) in the world?

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The countries with the highest volumes of clays production in 2019 were Germany (2.4M tonnes), Ukraine (1.9M tonnes) and the U.S. (809K tonnes), with a combined 70% share of global production. These countries were followed by the Netherlands, Spain, Senegal and Portugal, which together accounted for a further 22%.

What are the leading exporters of clays (excluding fireclay, bentonite, kaolin and other kaolinic clays and expanded clay) in the world?

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In value terms, the largest clays supplying countries worldwide were Ukraine ($113M), the U.S. ($109M) and Germany ($104M), together comprising 54% of global exports. Spain, Senegal, Thailand, India, Portugal, Malaysia and Morocco lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 25%.

What are the leading importers of clays (excluding fireclay, bentonite, kaolin and other kaolinic clays and expanded clay) in the world?

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In value terms, Italy ($98M) constitutes the largest market for imported clays (excluding fireclay, bentonite, kaolin and other kaolinic clays and expanded clay) worldwide, comprising 15% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by the Netherlands ($49M), with a 7.2% share of global imports. It was followed by France, with a 4.4% share.

What is the average export price for clays (excluding fireclay, bentonite, kaolin and other kaolinic clays and expanded clay) in the world?

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In 2019, the average clays export price amounted to $107 per tonne, which is down by -11.9% against the previous year.

What is the average import price for clays (excluding fireclay, bentonite, kaolin and other kaolinic clays and expanded clay) in the world?

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The average clays import price stood at $123 per tonne in 2019, growing by 16% against the previous year.