Common clay market in Lithuania

Earlier Report Observations

Lithuania's common clay production and market volume grew steadily from 2019, reaching a peak of 483 thousand tons in 2022. This expansion was supported by a broader European market trend where clay consumption rose by 9.2% and production increased by 9.7% in 2022, boosting regional demand. Concurrently, the average export price for common clay in Europe increased by 12%, contributing to higher market value.

After the 2022 peak, production volumes contracted sharply to 372 thousand tons in 2023 and further to 122 thousand tons in 2024. The market size in physical terms followed a similar trajectory, declining from 484 thousand tons in 2022 to 123 thousand tons in 2024. In monetary terms, the production value reflected these volume movements, rising to 1.7 million USD in 2021 before falling to 0.4 million USD in 2024.

Production common clay in Lithuania

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Lithuania's common clay production value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, output was valued at 1 667 thousand US dollars, marking an 11.0% rise from the previous year. Between 2019 and 2021, production grew by 16.9%, which translates to an annualized rate of 8.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Lithuania in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Common clay production volume in Lithuania rose for the second year in a row. In 2021, Lithuania produced 451.7 thousand tonnes of common clay, showing a modest increase of 6.4% compared to 2020. From 2019 to 2021, production expanded by 19.7%, corresponding to an annualized growth rate of 9.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports common clay from Lithuania

Exports in kind, t

Exported common clay volumes from Lithuania grew for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports reached 187 tonnes, up by 67.9% year-on-year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports surged by 171.8%, with an annualized rate of 39.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan were the main buyers of common clay from Lithuania, accounting for 47.6%, 18.1%, and 14.7% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries comprised 80.4% of total exports in kind.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2021, foreign common clay supplies from Lithuania reached 239.6 thousand US dollars, indicating a robust rise of 22.0% year-on-year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports increased by 61.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 17.3%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 37.7%, while the largest decline was recorded in 2020 at 3.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Lithuania in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

During 2018–2021, Russia, Latvia, and Belarus formed the main cluster of markets for exports in value terms, with shares of 54.4%, 16.7%, and 14.8%, respectively. Together, they accounted for 85.9% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Lithuania in value, 2018-2021

Imports common clay to Lithuania

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year contraction, imported common clay volumes in Lithuania increased. In 2021, imports stood at 1 319 tonnes, representing a dramatic rise of 46.9% compared to 2020. Over the period 2018-2021, imports decreased by 64.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -29.0%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 898 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 67.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021, t

Throughout 2018–2021, two countries—Sweden and Germany—concentrated most of the imports in kind of common clay to Lithuania, while other markets were less significant individually.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year decrease, foreign common clay supplies to Lithuania increased. In 2021, Lithuania imported a total of 541.3 thousand US dollars of common clay, constituting a steep increase of 69.4% from 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports decreased by 18.8%, equating to an annualized rate of -6.7%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 319.6 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 46.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Lithuania in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Throughout 2018–2021, Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands formed the core of imports in value terms, with shares of 36.6%, 21.8%, and 10.0%, respectively. Together, they accounted for 68.4% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Lithuania in value, 2018-2021