In 2018, India remained the world’s second-largest tile producer and consumer country.
Production increased from 1,080 to 1,145 million sq.m (+6%), while domestic consumption fell slightly to 750 million sq.m (-1.3%).
The ceramic cluster in Morbi (Gujarat) has continued its rapid growth and is now estimated to have more than 500 production lines, many of which are devoted to products for export (some Gujarati sources already indicate a much higher level of production).
Exports have grown enormously, rising from 228 to 274 million sq.m (+20.2%), consolidating India’s position as the 4th largest world exporter.
In value terms, exports reached 859 million euros, equivalent to an average selling price of 3.1 €/sq.m, one of the lowest figures for all significant exporter countries.
Saudi Arabia remained India’s largest export market with a 20.5% share of total exports (56 million sq.m, -2%). Next came the UAE (17.8 million sq.m, +21.6%), Iraq (17.6 million sq.m, -6.3%) and Oman (16.7 million sq.m, +19%).
Exports to Nepal, Sri Lanka and Qatar saw double-digit growth. After starting an export activity to Mexico in 2016, India maintained good exports to the only non-Asian country among the top 10 markets for Indian tiles (15.3 million sq.m, -6.4%).
Overall, the Asian continent absorbed 67.8% of India’s exports (185.7 million sq.m, +13.5%), Africa 14.4% (39.5 million sq.m, +48%), North America (NAFTA) 6.4% (al- almost entirely in Mexico), Europe (EU + non-EU) 7.3% (20 million sq.m, +61%) and South America 3.7% (10 million sq.m, +43.2%).
Among the most tile-consuming countries, India maintained the third position in 2013, with about 6.5% of all tiles produced worldwide. China and Brazil again shared the first and second positions, respectively.
However, among the leading tile-exporting countries, there has been a change in rankings. While China still led the way at the number one position, European countries like Spain and Italy took the second and third ranks, respectively.
China exported 1,148 million sq metres of tiles in 3013, while Spain exported 318 million sq metres. Italy followed closely, shipping 303 million sq metres to the overseas market.
The USA bagged the top position among importing countries, importing as much as 160 million sq metres. Saudi Arabia and Iraq took the second and third positions, respectively.
Ceramic tiles are a durable, low maintenance, stain and water-resistant material that are practical for use in various building surfaces due to these features.
They also come in endless colours and designs, making them an attractive material to build with.
Mosaic tiles are an example of ceramic tiles intended for artistic purposes first while also providing the practical usefulness of ceramic tiles as a building material.
Add Comment