Overview of the Market for Clays (excluding fireclay, bentonite, kaolin and other kaolinic clays and expanded clay) in Australia and Oceania

After two years of growth, the market for clays (excluding fireclay, bentonite, kaolin and other kaolinic clays and expanded clay) in Australia and Oceania decreased by -% to $ in 2019. In general, consumption, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the market value increased by % year-to-year. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $. From 2014 to 2019, the growth of the market failed to regain the momentum.

In value terms, production of clays (excluding fireclay, bentonite, kaolin and other kaolinic clays and expanded clay) dropped to $ in 2019 estimated in export prices. Overall, production, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the production volume increased by % y-o-y. As a result, production reached the peak level of $. From 2014 to 2019, production growth remained at a lower figure.

Australia ( tonnes) constituted the country with the largest volume of production of clays (excluding fireclay, bentonite, kaolin and other kaolinic clays and expanded clay), accounting for % of total volume. Moreover, production of clays (excluding fireclay, bentonite, kaolin and other kaolinic clays and expanded clay) in Australia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, New Zealand ( tonnes), fivefold.

In Australia, production of clays (excluding fireclay, bentonite, kaolin and other kaolinic clays and expanded clay) remained relatively stable over the period from 2007-2019. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: New Zealand (-% per year) and Papua New Guinea (+% per year).

In 2019, consumption of clays (excluding fireclay, bentonite, kaolin and other kaolinic clays and expanded clay) increased by % to tonnes, rising for the fifth consecutive year after three years of decline. Overall, consumption, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of % y-o-y. Over the period under review, consumption reached the maximum volume at tonnes in 2007; afterwards, it flattened through to 2019.

The size of the market for clays (excluding fireclay, bentonite, kaolin and other kaolinic clays and expanded clay) in Australia and Oceania declined to $ in 2019, which is down by -% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Over the period under review, consumption, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when the market value increased by % year-to-year. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $. From 2014 to 2019, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Australia ( tonnes) remains the largest clays (excluding fireclay, bentonite, kaolin and other kaolinic clays and expanded clay) consuming country in Australia and Oceania, comprising approx. % of total volume. Moreover, consumption of clays (excluding fireclay, bentonite, kaolin and other kaolinic clays and expanded clay) in Australia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, New Zealand ( tonnes), fivefold.

From 2007 to 2019, the average annual growth rate of volume in Australia was relatively modest. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: New Zealand (-% per year) and Papua New Guinea (+% per year).

In value terms, Australia ($), Papua New Guinea ($) and New Zealand ($) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2019, together comprising % of the total market.

Among the main consuming countries, Papua New Guinea saw the highest growth rate of market size, over the period under review, while market of clays (excluding fireclay, bentonite, kaolin and other kaolinic clays and expanded clay) for the other leaders experienced a decline in the market figures.

The countries with the highest levels of clays (excluding fireclay, bentonite, kaolin and other kaolinic clays and expanded clay) per capita consumption in 2019 were Australia ( kg per person), New Zealand ( kg per person) and Papua New Guinea ( kg per person).

From 2007 to 2019, the biggest increases were in Papua New Guinea, while per capita consumption of clays (excluding fireclay, bentonite, kaolin and other kaolinic clays and expanded clay) for the other leaders experienced a decline in the per capita consumption figures.

Depressed by shrinking demand for clays (excluding fireclay, bentonite, kaolin and other kaolinic clays and expanded clay) in Australia and Oceania, the market is expected to continue its downward consumption trend over the next decade. The performance of the market is forecast to contract with an anticipated CAGR of -% for the period from 2019 to , which is projected to depress the market volume to tonnes by the end of .