Clays market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The Spanish clays market saw its volume grow to 13.7 million tons in 2021, but then contracted over the next two years, falling to 10.8 million tons by 2023. In value terms, the market peaked at $291.1 million in 2022 before dropping sharply to $157.4 million in 2023.

A key driver of the market's contraction was the onset of the Ukraine war in 2022, which abruptly halted Spain's main supply of white clays from Ukraine, crucial for the ceramic industry in Castellón. This forced manufacturers to reformulate products using more expensive alternatives from countries like Romania, while a simultaneous energy cost crisis significantly raised production expenses. Domestic production was further limited by the closure of a local clay extraction site and slow permitting for new mining operations.

In 2023, the entry of the Ukrainian company Vesco, which invested €7 million to establish logistics and operations in Teruel, signaled an effort to stabilize supply chains. A notable 40% month-on-month surge in clay imports through Castellón port in September 2023 pointed to a partial sector recovery, yet the overall market volume continued to decline due to persistent supply instability and high operational costs.

Production clays in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Annual dynamics of production in Spain in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Annual dynamics of production in Spain in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports clays from Spain

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Spain's clay exports declined in 2020. The country exported 709 thousand tons of clays that year, which represents a 26.4% decrease compared to 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, exports actually increased by 6.8% overall, translating to an average annual growth rate of 2.2%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2019 at 964 thousand tons. The most significant year-over-year increase occurred in 2018, when exports surged by 41.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Spain in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 through 2020, three key markets consistently dominated Spain's clay exports in volume terms: Algeria, France, and Italy. Together, these countries accounted for 61.4% of Spain's total clay export flows during this period.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Spain in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Spain's clay exports in value terms declined for the second consecutive year in 2020. The country exported clays worth 116.5 million US dollars that year, marking a substantial 11.9% drop compared to 2019. The highest export value was achieved in 2018 at 141.2 million US dollars. That same year also saw the most significant increase, with export values rising by 21.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Spain in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain's clay exports in value terms showed moderate concentration. France accounted for 18.3% of export value, Italy for 15.9%, and Portugal for 8.3%. Combined, these three markets represented 42.5% of Spain's total clay export value during this period.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Spain in value, 2017-2020

Imports clays to Spain

Imports in kind, K t

Spain's clay imports in volume terms declined for the second straight year in 2020. Imports reached 2 147 thousand tons that year, showing a moderate 4.2% decrease compared to 2019. Over the four-year period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 16.4% overall, equivalent to an average annual decline of 5.8%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 2 583 thousand tons. The most significant year-over-year decrease occurred in 2019 with a 13.2% drop, while 2018 saw a slight increase of 0.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Spain in kind, 2017-2020, K t

During the 2017-2020 period, Ukraine, Portugal, and the United Kingdom served as Spain's primary clay suppliers in volume terms. Ukraine accounted for 62.4% of import volume, Portugal for 10.6%, and the United Kingdom for 7.1%. Together, these three countries comprised 80.0% of Spain's total clay imports by volume.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Spain in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Spain's clay imports in value terms fell for the second consecutive year in 2020. Imports amounted to 179.1 million US dollars that year, representing a gradual 9.6% decrease compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, import values decreased by 16.9% overall, translating to an average annual decline of 6.0%. The peak import value was recorded in 2018 at 226.7 million US dollars. The most substantial year-over-year decrease occurred in 2019 with a 12.7% drop, while 2018 saw an increase of 5.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Spain in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States formed the core group of markets for Spain's clay imports in value terms. Ukraine accounted for 49.4% of import value, the United Kingdom for 6.6%, and the United States for 6.3%. Together, these three countries represented 62.3% of Spain's total clay import value during this time.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Spain in value, 2017-2020