Argentina: Market for Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles 2025

Market Size for Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles in Argentina

In 2021, the Argentinian market for refractory bricks, blocks and tiles was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Overall, consumption, however, showed a abrupt contraction. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports of Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles

Exports from Argentina

In 2021, overseas shipments of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles increased by 504% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The exports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles exports soared to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, recorded a abrupt contraction. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Uruguay (X tons) was the main destination for refractory bricks, blocks and tiles exports from Argentina, with a 73% share of total exports. Moreover, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles exports to Uruguay exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, France (X tons), more than tenfold. Chile (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 4.1% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to Uruguay amounted to +32.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: France (+11.4% per year) and Chile (-18.6% per year).

In value terms, Uruguay ($X) emerged as the key foreign market for refractory bricks, blocks and tiles exports from Argentina, comprising 83% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Saudi Arabia ($X), with a 4.8% share of total exports. It was followed by Paraguay, with a 3.8% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Uruguay stood at +31.7%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Saudi Arabia (-24.4% per year) and Paraguay (-6.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average export price for refractory bricks, blocks and tiles amounted to $X per ton, surging by 5.8% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, saw a drastic downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when the average export price increased by 15%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2017 to 2021, the average export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Saudi Arabia ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Nicaragua ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the United Arab Emirates (+13.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles

Imports into Argentina

In 2021, supplies from abroad of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles increased by 36% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. In general, imports, however, recorded a noticeable setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when imports increased by 87%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles imports surged to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a abrupt decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 70% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Brazil (X tons), France (X tons) and Germany (X tons) were the main suppliers of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles imports to Argentina, together comprising 56% of total imports. These countries were followed by China, Spain, Mexico, Italy and the Czech Republic, which together accounted for a further 26%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Spain (with a CAGR of +2.6%), while imports for the other leaders experienced a decline.

In value terms, Germany ($X), Brazil ($X) and France ($X) constituted the largest refractory bricks, blocks and tiles suppliers to Argentina, together accounting for 50% of total imports. These countries were followed by China, Italy, Spain, the Czech Republic and Mexico, which together accounted for a further 27%.

Italy, with a CAGR of +4.4%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

Import Prices by Country

The average import price for refractory bricks, blocks and tiles stood at $X per ton in 2021, increasing by 2.3% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, showed a slight descent. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 an increase of 17% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Italy ($X per ton), while the price for Mexico ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Italy (+5.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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