ECOWAS: Market for Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles 2025

Market Size for Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles in ECOWAS

After four years of growth, the ECOWAS market for refractory bricks, blocks and tiles decreased by -9.6% to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, consumption showed a pronounced decrease. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Production of Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles in ECOWAS

In value terms, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles production amounted to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated prominent growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.6% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production decreased by -17.1% against 2018 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 79% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports of Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles

Exports in ECOWAS

In 2021, shipments abroad of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles decreased by -28% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year rising trend. In general, exports, however, showed a strong increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 175%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2020, and then contracted markedly in the following year.

In value terms, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles exports contracted to $X in 2021. Overall, exports showed a abrupt slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 92%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Nigeria was the major exporter of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles in ECOWAS, with the volume of exports recording X tons, which was near 71% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Niger (X tons), Cote d'Ivoire (X tons) and Togo (X tons), together achieving a 26% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to refractory bricks, blocks and tiles exports from Nigeria stood at +6.9%. At the same time, Togo (+8.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Togo emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in ECOWAS, with a CAGR of +8.0% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Cote d'Ivoire (-3.8%) and Niger (-12.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Niger (+11 p.p.) and Nigeria (+11 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of Cote d'Ivoire (-12.2 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest refractory bricks, blocks and tiles supplying countries in ECOWAS were Cote d'Ivoire ($X), Nigeria ($X) and Togo ($X), with a combined 88% share of total exports.

Among the main exporting countries, Togo, with a CAGR of +4.9%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in ECOWAS stood at $X per ton in 2021, jumping by 22% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, showed a abrupt decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the export price increased by 68% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2021, the export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Cote d'Ivoire ($X per ton), while Nigeria ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Togo (-2.9%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Imports of Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles

Imports in ECOWAS

In 2021, after four years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas purchases of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles, when their volume decreased by -15.4% to X tons. In general, imports continue to indicate a abrupt descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 140%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles imports shrank to $X in 2021. Overall, imports continue to indicate a pronounced slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when imports increased by 36%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Nigeria dominates imports structure, resulting at X tons, which was approx. 66% of total imports in 2021. Ghana (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by Senegal (X tons) and Cote d'Ivoire (X tons). All these countries together held near 21% share of total imports. Togo (X tons), Guinea (X tons) and Mali (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into Nigeria increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Mali (+25.0%), Cote d'Ivoire (+10.1%), Senegal (+8.9%) and Guinea (+3.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Mali emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in ECOWAS, with a CAGR of +25.0% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Togo (-3.4%) and Ghana (-27.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Nigeria, Senegal, Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea and Mali increased by +42, +5.8, +4.8, +1.6 and +1.5 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Nigeria ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported refractory bricks, blocks and tiles in ECOWAS, comprising 61% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Senegal ($X), with an 11% share of total imports. It was followed by Ghana, with a 7.5% share.

In Nigeria, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles imports remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Senegal (+8.2% per year) and Ghana (-20.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in ECOWAS stood at $X per ton in 2021, increasing by 5.2% against the previous year. Import price indicated a noticeable expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% 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 import price decreased by -10.4% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 an increase of 81% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2021, the import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Togo ($X per ton), while Cote d'Ivoire ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Guinea (+12.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform