Brazil: Market for Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles 2025

Market Size for Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles in Brazil

The Brazilian market for refractory bricks, blocks and tiles was finally on the rise to reach $X in 2021, after two years of decline. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Refractory bricks, blocks and tiles consumption peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Production of Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles in Brazil

In value terms, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles production rose markedly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when the production volume increased by 30%. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Exports of Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles

Exports from Brazil

Refractory bricks, blocks and tiles exports from Brazil soared to X tons in 2021, with an increase of 29% against 2020. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a noticeable shrinkage. The exports peaked at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles exports rose slightly to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, saw a abrupt slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when exports increased by 9.8%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons) was the main destination for refractory bricks, blocks and tiles exports from Brazil, with a 47% share of total exports. Moreover, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles exports to the Netherlands exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Argentina (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Uruguay (X tons), with a 9.6% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to the Netherlands amounted to +207.1%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Argentina (-4.3% per year) and Uruguay (+5.9% per year).

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) emerged as the key foreign market for refractory bricks, blocks and tiles exports from Brazil, comprising 38% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Argentina ($X), with a 16% share of total exports. It was followed by the United States, with an 8.3% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to the Netherlands stood at +155.9%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Argentina (-7.1% per year) and the United States (-13.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average export price for refractory bricks, blocks and tiles stood at $X per ton in 2021, declining by -20.1% against the previous year. In general, the export price recorded a perceptible descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 19% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 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 Mexico ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Uruguay ($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 Venezuela (+23.3%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles

Imports into Brazil

In 2021, supplies from abroad of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles increased by 28% to X tons, rising for the fourth year in a row after two years of decline. In general, imports, however, recorded a perceptible descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 59% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles imports soared to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when imports increased by 68% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, China (X tons) constituted the largest refractory bricks, blocks and tiles supplier to Brazil, accounting for a 34% share of total imports. Moreover, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Mexico (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by the United States (X tons), with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from China amounted to -8.1%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Mexico (+8.5% per year) and the United States (-1.4% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) constituted the largest supplier of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles to Brazil, comprising 34% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by the United States ($X), with a 12% share of total imports. It was followed by Germany, with a 7.2% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value from China stood at -2.3%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the United States (-0.6% per year) and Germany (+1.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average import price for refractory bricks, blocks and tiles stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 5% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.9%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when the average import price increased by 14% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 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 South Korea ($X per ton), while the price for Chile ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Korea (+7.3%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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