Central Asia: Market for Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles 2025

Market Size for Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles in Central Asia

The Central Asian market for refractory bricks, blocks and tiles stood at $X in 2021, growing by 7.1% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Production of Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles in Central Asia

In value terms, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles production fell to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated resilient growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +11.4% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production increased by +18.0% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 61% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2020, and then shrank in the following year.

Exports of Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles

Exports in Central Asia

In 2021, after three years of decline, there was significant growth in overseas shipments of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles, when their volume increased by 33% to X tons. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate strong growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 167% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles exports soared to $X in 2021. In general, exports saw a buoyant expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 96% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Kazakhstan (X tons) represented the main exporter of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles, generating 75% of total exports. Uzbekistan (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Kyrgyzstan (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 25% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to refractory bricks, blocks and tiles exports from Kazakhstan stood at +10.7%. At the same time, Uzbekistan (+17.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Uzbekistan emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Central Asia, with a CAGR of +17.2% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Kyrgyzstan (-15.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Kazakhstan (+21 p.p.) and Uzbekistan (+11 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Kyrgyzstan saw its share reduced by -32.7% from 2012 to 2021, respectively.

In value terms, Kazakhstan ($X) emerged as the largest refractory bricks, blocks and tiles supplier in Central Asia, comprising 80% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Uzbekistan ($X), with a 15% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Kazakhstan amounted to +15.4%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Uzbekistan (+42.4% per year) and Kyrgyzstan (-5.5% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Central Asia amounted to $X per ton, surging by 20% against the previous year. Export price indicated a resilient expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +6.7% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles export price increased by +53.3% against 2017 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the export price increased by 25% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Kyrgyzstan ($X per ton), while Uzbekistan ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Uzbekistan (+21.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles

Imports in Central Asia

In 2021, approx. X tons of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles were imported in Central Asia; increasing by 3.1% on 2020. In general, imports, however, showed a pronounced shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when imports increased by 51% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of 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 showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when imports increased by 39%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Kazakhstan (X tons) represented the main importer of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles, comprising 79% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Uzbekistan (X tons), achieving a 13% share of total imports. The following importers - Turkmenistan (X tons), Tajikistan (X tons) and Kyrgyzstan (X tons) - together made up 6.6% of total imports.

Imports into Kazakhstan decreased at an average annual rate of -2.6% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Uzbekistan (+6.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Uzbekistan emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Central Asia, with a CAGR of +6.1% from 2012-2021. Turkmenistan experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Tajikistan (-9.6%) and Kyrgyzstan (-16.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Uzbekistan increased by +13 percentage points. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Kazakhstan ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported refractory bricks, blocks and tiles in Central Asia, comprising 69% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Uzbekistan ($X), with a 22% share of total imports. It was followed by Turkmenistan, with a 4% share.

In Kazakhstan, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles imports shrank by an average annual rate of -1.1% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Uzbekistan (+6.1% per year) and Turkmenistan (-1.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Central Asia stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 14% against the previous year. Over the last nine-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.9%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when the import price increased by 28% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Uzbekistan ($X per ton), while Kazakhstan ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Tajikistan (+4.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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