Croatia: Market for Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles 2025

Market Size for Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles in Croatia

The Croatian market for refractory bricks, blocks and tiles dropped sharply to $X in 2021, reducing by -37.2% against the previous year. In general, consumption, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X, and then reduced remarkably in the following year.

Production of Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles in Croatia

In value terms, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles production shrank sharply to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production showed a perceptible descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the production volume increased by 58%. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Exports of Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles

Exports from Croatia

Refractory bricks, blocks and tiles exports from Croatia skyrocketed to X tons in 2021, increasing by 28% compared with 2020 figures. Overall, exports showed a mild expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 104%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles exports soared to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports posted a tangible expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when exports increased by 110% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Bosnia and Herzegovina (X tons) was the main destination for refractory bricks, blocks and tiles exports from Croatia, accounting for a 32% share of total exports. Moreover, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles exports to Bosnia and Herzegovina exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Germany (X tons), twofold. The Czech Republic (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 15% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to Bosnia and Herzegovina stood at +16.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Germany (+16.0% per year) and the Czech Republic (+19.6% per year).

In value terms, the largest markets for refractory bricks, blocks and tiles exported from Croatia were the Czech Republic ($X), France ($X) and Germany ($X), with a combined 58% share of total exports.

France, with a CAGR of +99.7%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average export price for refractory bricks, blocks and tiles amounted to $X per ton, surging by 39% against the previous year. In general, export price indicated a tangible increase from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% over the last nine-year period. 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 +113.9% against 2016 indices. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Hungary ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Bosnia and Herzegovina ($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 Hungary (+30.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles

Imports into Croatia

In 2021, approx. X tons of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles were imported into Croatia; with a decrease of -20.2% compared with the previous year. Overall, imports continue to indicate a slight descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when imports increased by 34% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons, and then fell remarkably in the following year.

In value terms, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles imports fell markedly to $X in 2021. In general, imports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when imports increased by 122%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X, and then declined markedly in the following year.

Imports by Country

Germany (X tons), Slovakia (X tons) and Austria (X tons) were the main suppliers of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles imports to Croatia, with a combined 69% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Austria (with a CAGR of +17.9%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest refractory bricks, blocks and tiles suppliers to Croatia were Germany ($X), Italy ($X) and Austria ($X), with a combined 72% share of total imports. Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Serbia, China, Spain and North Macedonia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 24%.

Poland, with a CAGR of +14.0%, saw 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 more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average import price for refractory bricks, blocks and tiles amounted to $X per ton, shrinking by -27.1% against the previous year. Overall, import price indicated a perceptible expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles import price increased by +20.8% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 an increase of 66%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton, and then declined remarkably in the following year.

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 ($X per ton), while the price for Slovakia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Spain (+8.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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