Colombia: Market for Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles 2025

Market Size for Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles in Colombia

The Colombian market for refractory bricks, blocks and tiles stood at $X in 2021, growing by 6.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the total consumption indicated resilient growth 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. Based on 2021 figures, consumption decreased by -6.8% against 2019 indices. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Production of Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles in Colombia

In value terms, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles production expanded remarkably to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, the total production indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +7.7% 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 decreased by -4.8% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when the production volume increased by 41%. Over the period under review, production attained the maximum level at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports of Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles

Exports from Colombia

Refractory bricks, blocks and tiles exports from Colombia declined significantly to X tons in 2021, with a decrease of -38% compared with the previous year. Over the period under review, exports saw a sharp downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 134% against the previous year. 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 reduced dramatically to $X in 2021. Overall, exports showed a dramatic decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 119% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Ecuador (X tons), Costa Rica (X tons) and Honduras (X tons) were the main destinations of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles exports from Colombia, together accounting for 57% of total exports. These countries were followed by Chile, Aruba, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic, which together accounted for a further 29%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Chile (with a CAGR of +60.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Ecuador ($X) remains the key foreign market for refractory bricks, blocks and tiles exports from Colombia, comprising 43% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Costa Rica ($X), with an 11% share of total exports. It was followed by Honduras, with an 8.3% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to Ecuador amounted to +2.9%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Costa Rica (+12.8% per year) and Honduras (+8.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average export price for refractory bricks, blocks and tiles amounted to $X per ton, growing by 4.1% against the previous year. In general, the export price posted a strong expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the average export price increased by 312%. The export price peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Ecuador ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Chile ($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 (+23.0%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles

Imports into Colombia

In 2021, purchases abroad of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles was finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a abrupt decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when imports increased by 58% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained 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. In general, imports, however, showed a noticeable reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 73% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, India (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles to Colombia, accounting for a 50% share of total imports. Moreover, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles imports from India exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, China (X tons), threefold. Spain (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 9.2% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from India totaled -1.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: China (-15.8% per year) and Spain (+1.1% per year).

In value terms, India ($X), China ($X) and Germany ($X) constituted the largest refractory bricks, blocks and tiles suppliers to Colombia, together accounting for 51% of total imports. These countries were followed by Spain, Brazil, Italy, Mexico, Argentina and the United States, which together accounted for a further 28%.

Argentina, with a CAGR of +136.9%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average import price for refractory bricks, blocks and tiles stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 17% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +5.5%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when the average import price increased by 18%. The import price peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Brazil (+21.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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