Clays market in Sweden

Earlier Report Observations

The Swedish clays market experienced a significant contraction in physical volume between 2020 and 2024. Market size, calculated from imports and domestic production minus exports, fell from 616.7 thousand tons in 2020 to 358.1 thousand tons in 2024. This decline was driven by a sharp drop in imports, which nearly halved from 537.8 thousand tons in 2019 to 238.9 thousand tons in 2024, coupled with a decrease in domestic production from 221.6 thousand tons in 2020 to 138.1 thousand tons in 2024. In value terms, the market decline was less pronounced, shrinking from 158.6 million USD in 2020 to 136.6 million USD in 2024, suggesting a shift in product mix or price levels.

In 2024, market developments included a growing focus on sustainability within the construction and materials sector, influencing demand for natural and eco-friendly materials like clay. Concurrently, the Swedish Institute for Standards began work on new clay standards, including a first draft for a Swedish standard for clay plaster, which may affect market regulations and product use. Furthermore, Trafikverket identified potential to repurpose large quantities of clay, currently considered waste, as construction material, which could influence future supply and utilization in the market.

Production clays in Sweden

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Annual dynamics of production in Sweden in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

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

Exports clays from Sweden

Exports in kind, K t

In 2019, Sweden's clay exports reached their lowest point at 19.0 thousand tons, with a decline of 4.1% that year. However, by 2020, exports rebounded strongly to 21.6 thousand tons, marking a significant 13.4% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 9.5%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Latvia was the leading destination for Sweden's clay exports in volume terms, accounting for 23.3% of the total. The Netherlands followed with 21.6%, and Lithuania with 14.9%. Together, these three countries represented 59.8% of Sweden's total clay exports by volume during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2019, Sweden's clay exports in value terms hit a low of 3,984 thousand US dollars, declining by 2.9% that year. By 2020, exports surged to 5,006 thousand US dollars, showing a robust 25.7% increase over the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, the total value of exports rose by 24.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Norway was the top destination for Sweden's clay exports in value terms, making up 33.6% of the total. Denmark accounted for 11.6%, and Latvia for 9.3%. Collectively, these three countries represented 54.5% of Sweden's total clay export value during this timeframe.

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

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

Imports clays to Sweden

Imports in kind, K t

In 2019, Sweden's clay imports in volume terms peaked at 537.8 thousand tons, with a 3.2% increase that year. By 2020, imports dropped to 416.6 thousand tons, reflecting a 22.5% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 20.9%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 7.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Greece was the primary source for Sweden's clay imports in volume terms, contributing 33.6% of the total. Belgium supplied 18.8%, and the United Kingdom 15.2%. Together, these three countries accounted for 67.7% of Sweden's total clay imports by volume during these years.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2018, Sweden's clay imports in value terms reached their highest point at 90,732 thousand US dollars, with a 3.6% increase that year. By 2020, imports had declined for the second consecutive year, falling to 83,523 thousand US dollars, which was a 7.1% drop from the previous year. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 4.6%, averaging an annual decline of 1.6%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, the United States was the main supplier of clays to Sweden in value terms, representing 25.1% of total imports. Belgium accounted for 18.6%, and Greece for 13.6%. Combined, these three countries made up 57.3% of Sweden's total clay import value over these years.

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

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