Australia: Market for Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles 2025

Market Size for Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles in Australia

The Australian market for refractory bricks, blocks and tiles surged to $X in 2021, with an increase of 71% 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). In general, the total consumption indicated a buoyant expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +8.0% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports of Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles

Exports from Australia

In 2021, overseas shipments of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles increased by 50% to X tons, rising for the third consecutive year after three years of decline. In general, exports, however, recorded a perceptible decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 154%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 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 downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 70%. The exports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

New Zealand (X tons) was the main destination for refractory bricks, blocks and tiles exports from Australia, with a 61% share of total exports. Moreover, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles exports to New Zealand exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Japan (X tons), threefold. Hungary (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 3.2% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to New Zealand stood at +7.8%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Japan (-7.7% per year) and Hungary (0.0% per year).

In value terms, New Zealand ($X) remains the key foreign market for refractory bricks, blocks and tiles exports from Australia, comprising 37% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Malaysia ($X), with a 7.5% share of total exports. It was followed by Japan, with a 3.1% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to New Zealand totaled -8.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Malaysia (+1.1% per year) and Japan (-16.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average export price for refractory bricks, blocks and tiles amounted to $X per ton, with a decrease of -15.7% against the previous year. In general, the export price showed a perceptible decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 an increase of 68%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Malaysia ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Japan ($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 New Caledonia (+8.4%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles

Imports into Australia

In 2021, supplies from abroad of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles increased by 79% to X tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Overall, total imports indicated prominent growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.6% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles imports surged to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a buoyant expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +7.3% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

China (X tons), France (X tons) and Germany (X tons) were the main suppliers of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles imports to Australia, with a combined 58% share of total imports. These countries were followed by the Netherlands, India, Thailand, Italy, the United States, Austria, the Czech Republic and Brazil, which together accounted for a further 37%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Italy (with a CAGR of +35.0%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($X) constituted the largest supplier of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles to Australia, comprising 27% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by France ($X), with a 13% share of total imports. It was followed by Germany, with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from China amounted to +6.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: France (+27.5% per year) and Germany (+2.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average import price for refractory bricks, blocks and tiles amounted to $X per ton, declining by -6.6% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 an increase of 16%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2020 to 2021, the average import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Austria ($X per ton), while the price for Thailand ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by India (+6.6%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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