Worldwide Worked Slate Market: Volume Expected to Reach 5.8M Tons by 2030, Value to Hit $5.7B

IndexBox has just published a new report: World - Worked Slate - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights.

Driven by rising demand for worked slate worldwide, the market is forecast to experience a slight increase in performance, with a projected CAGR of +0.9% for market volume and +3.0% for market value from 2023 to 2030.

Market Forecast

Driven by rising demand for worked slate worldwide, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next seven-year period. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +0.9% for the period from 2023 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 5.8M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +3.0% for the period from 2023 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $5.7B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Worked Slate

In 2023, the amount of worked slate consumed worldwide reached 5.5M tons, flattening at the year before. In general, consumption, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the consumption volume increased by 4.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global consumption hit record highs at 5.7M tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2023, consumption remained at a lower figure.

The global worked slate market value reached $4.6B in 2023, approximately mirroring 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). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% from 2013 to 2023; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 9.2%. Over the period under review, the global market hit record highs in 2023 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

Consumption By Country

China (1.4M tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of worked slate consumption, comprising approx. 25% of total volume. Moreover, worked slate consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, the United States (549K tons), twofold. India (463K tons) ranked third in terms of total consumption with an 8.4% share.

In China, worked slate consumption remained relatively stable over the period from 2013-2023. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of consumption growth: the United States (+2.5% per year) and India (+2.1% per year).

In value terms, China ($757M), the United States ($552M) and India ($455M) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2023, together comprising 38% of the global market. Germany, Russia, France, the UK, Pakistan, Turkey, Indonesia, Brazil, Spain and Saudi Arabia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 34%.

In terms of the main consuming countries, Saudi Arabia, with a CAGR of +13.3%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to market size over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The countries with the highest levels of worked slate per capita consumption in 2023 were France (4.1 kg per person), Spain (3.2 kg per person) and the UK (2.9 kg per person).

From 2013 to 2023, the biggest increases were recorded for Saudi Arabia (with a CAGR of +10.9%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Worked Slate

In 2023, approx. 5.5M tons of worked slate were produced worldwide; remaining stable against 2022 figures. Overall, production, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the production volume increased by 4.5% against the previous year. Global production peaked at 5.9M tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2023, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, worked slate production stood at $4.5B in 2023 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% over the period from 2013 to 2023; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the production volume increased by 14% against the previous year. Global production peaked at $4.5B in 2021; afterwards, it flattened through to 2023.

Production By Country

China (1.6M tons) remains the largest worked slate producing country worldwide, comprising approx. 28% of total volume. Moreover, worked slate production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Spain (582K tons), threefold. The United States (485K tons) ranked third in terms of total production with an 8.7% share.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in China totaled -1.2%. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Spain (+0.9% per year) and the United States (+4.6% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Worked Slate

In 2023, global imports of worked slate dropped to 814K tons, which is down by -13.2% on 2022 figures. In general, imports showed a mild descent. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 11% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports hit record highs at 1M tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2023, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, worked slate imports reduced to $714M in 2023. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% from 2013 to 2023; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 24% against the previous year. Global imports peaked at $757M in 2022, and then shrank in the following year.

Imports By Country

France (286K tons) and the UK (199K tons) represented the major importers of worked slate in 2023, finishing at near 35% and 24% of total imports, respectively. The United States (67K tons) held an 8.2% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Germany (4.9%). Ireland (27K tons), Belgium (22K tons) and Spain (16K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2013 to 2023, the biggest increases were recorded for Ireland (with a CAGR of +6.5%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, France ($275M), the UK ($166M) and the United States ($50M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2023, together comprising 69% of global imports.

In terms of the main importing countries, France, with a CAGR of +5.1%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

In 2023, the average worked slate import price amounted to $877 per ton, growing by 8.7% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.9%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average import price increased by 12%. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the maximum in 2023 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2023, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Belgium ($1,297 per ton), while Ireland ($560 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Belgium (+3.3%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Worked Slate

In 2023, the amount of worked slate exported worldwide fell to 883K tons, dropping by -11.6% on 2022. In general, exports continue to indicate a perceptible downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 11%. The global exports peaked at 1.2M tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2023, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, worked slate exports contracted slightly to $747M in 2023. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% from 2013 to 2023; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 23%. The global exports peaked at $764M in 2022, and then dropped in the following year.

Exports By Country

Spain represented the major exporter of worked slate in the world, with the volume of exports finishing at 447K tons, which was near 51% of total exports in 2023. China (206K tons) held the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Brazil (95K tons). All these countries together took near 34% share of total exports. The following exporters - Canada (23K tons), India (16K tons) and Portugal (14K tons) - together made up 5.9% of total exports.

Spain experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of exports of worked slate. Canada and Brazil experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. Portugal (-1.7%), India (-2.8%) and China (-7.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Spain (+11 p.p.) and Brazil (+1.8 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global exports, while China saw its share reduced by -14.1% from 2013 to 2023, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Spain ($428M) remains the largest worked slate supplier worldwide, comprising 57% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by China ($172M), with a 23% share of global exports. It was followed by Brazil, with a 5.7% share.

In Spain, worked slate exports expanded at an average annual rate of +2.9% over the period from 2013-2023. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: China (+0.2% per year) and Brazil (-1.3% per year).

Export Prices By Country

The average worked slate export price stood at $846 per ton in 2023, picking up by 11% against the previous year. In general, export price indicated measured growth from 2013 to 2023: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2023 figures, worked slate export price increased by +64.4% against 2017 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2022 an increase of 15% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the peak figure in 2023 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2023, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was India ($1,169 per ton), while Portugal ($273 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by India (+9.3%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform