Eastern Europe: Market for Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles 2025

Market Size for Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles in Eastern Europe

The East European market for refractory bricks, blocks and tiles was estimated at $X in 2021, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

Production of Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles in Eastern Europe

In value terms, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles production expanded rapidly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production recorded a noticeable descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 22% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Exports of Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles

Exports in Eastern Europe

In 2021, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in shipments abroad of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles, when their volume increased by 11% to X tons. Overall, exports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 18%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2019 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. In general, exports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 33% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Russia (X tons) was the largest exporter of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles, committing 38% of total exports. The Czech Republic (X tons) held a 20% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Poland (19%), Slovakia (9.6%) and Ukraine (8.6%). Hungary (X tons) held a minor share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Slovakia (with a CAGR of +3.5%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest refractory bricks, blocks and tiles supplying countries in Eastern Europe were Poland ($X), Russia ($X) and the Czech Republic ($X), together accounting for 71% of total exports. These countries were followed by Slovakia, Hungary and Ukraine, which together accounted for a further 25%.

Slovakia, with a CAGR of +4.6%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Eastern Europe amounted to $X per ton, surging by 4.7% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 12%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Hungary ($X per ton), while Ukraine ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Slovakia (+1.1%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Imports of Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles

Imports in Eastern Europe

In 2021, supplies from abroad of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles was finally on the rise to reach X tons after two years of decline. Overall, imports, however, showed a perceptible decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when imports increased by 23%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles imports expanded significantly to $X in 2021. In general, imports, however, continue to indicate a mild decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 44% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Russia (X tons), the Czech Republic (X tons), Poland (X tons), Slovakia (X tons) and Belarus (X tons) represented roughly 76% of total imports in 2021. Bulgaria (X tons) took the next position in the ranking, followed by Ukraine (X tons). All these countries together took near 9.6% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Poland (with a CAGR of +7.7%), while imports for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the imports figures.

In value terms, the largest refractory bricks, blocks and tiles importing markets in Eastern Europe were Russia ($X), the Czech Republic ($X) and Poland ($X), together comprising 66% of total imports. These countries were followed by Slovakia, Bulgaria, Ukraine and Belarus, which together accounted for a further 22%.

Slovakia, with a CAGR of +4.9%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Eastern Europe stood at $X per ton in 2021, leveling off at the previous year. Over the last nine years, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.6%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the import price increased by 28%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2019; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Russia ($X per ton), while Belarus ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Slovakia (+9.3%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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