Fireclay market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The fireclay market in Germany experienced significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2024. Market volume in kind peaked at 579.9 thousand tons in 2021 after a period of decline, while in value terms, the market reached its highest point at 29 656 thousand US dollars in 2022.

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic caused global raw material supply disruptions and labor shortages during lockdowns, which contributed to stabilizing the market volume at around 483 thousand tons. These constraints affected production and import flows, limiting overall market growth that year.

Following the 2021 peak, market volume in kind declined to 529.2 thousand tons in 2022 and further to 332.8 thousand tons in 2024. The market value increased in 2022 despite lower physical volume, but fell to 21 036 thousand US dollars by 2024.

Production fireclay in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In Germany, fireclay output reached its highest value in 2018 at 13 621 K $ US. The following year, 2019, saw the lowest value at 12 855 K $ US, marking a 5.6% decline. In 2020, production rebounded to 13 010 K $ US, showing a 1.2% increase compared to 2019, with the largest growth recorded in 2018 at 4.9%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

After a two-year decline, fireclay production in Germany stabilized in 2020 with 421.4 K t, showing minimal change from the previous year. The lowest production level was in 2019 at 420.2 K t, which represented a 9.9% drop. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 11.3%, averaging a 3.9% annual decline.

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

Exports fireclay from Germany

Exports in kind, t

Germany's fireclay exports declined for the third consecutive year in 2020, totaling 4 158 t, a 9.5% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 48.5%, with an average annual decline of 19.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Poland, and France were consistently the top destinations for Germany's fireclay exports in volume terms. Italy accounted for 38.6% of exports, Poland for 16.5%, and France for 9.7%, together making up 64.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Fireclay export value from Germany increased for the third year in a row in 2020, reaching 3 077 K $ US, up 7.5% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value grew by 61.4%, with an average annual increase of 17.3%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Russia, Ukraine, and France remained the key partners for Germany's fireclay exports in value terms. Russia held 42.9% of exports, Ukraine 16.5%, and France 9.8%, collectively accounting for 69.2% of total export value.

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

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

Imports fireclay to Germany

Imports in kind, t

Germany's fireclay imports declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, totaling 66 022 t, a slight 1.6% decrease from the previous year. The highest import volume was in 2018 at 73 974 t, which saw a 32.0% increase. In 2019, imports dropped by 9.3%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 17.8%, averaging a 5.6% annual growth.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Czechia, the United States, and China were the main sources of fireclay imports to Germany in volume terms. Czechia accounted for 42.4% of imports, the United States for 37.1%, and China for 7.0%, together representing 86.6% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Fireclay import value to Germany declined for the second year in a row in 2020, showing a moderate 7.4% reduction. The peak value was in 2018 at 14 388 K $ US, which marked a 50.3% increase. In 2019, imports fell by 7.4%. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value rose by 28.9%, with an average annual growth of 8.8%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the United States, China, and Czechia remained the primary markets for Germany's fireclay imports in value terms. The United States accounted for 55.6% of imports, China for 14.1%, and Czechia for 10.9%, jointly making up 80.6% of total import value.

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

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