EU: Market for Non-Refractory Ceramic Building Bricks 2025

Market Size for Non-Refractory Ceramic Building Bricks in the EU

In 2022, the EU non-refractory ceramic building bricks market increased by 0.4% to $X, rising for the seventh consecutive year after three years of decline. Overall, consumption continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of consumption peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Production of Non-Refractory Ceramic Building Bricks in the EU

In value terms, non-refractory ceramic building bricks production reduced modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 13%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2021, and then reduced in the following year.

Exports of Non-Refractory Ceramic Building Bricks

Exports in the EU

In 2022, overseas shipments of non-refractory ceramic building bricks decreased by -22.5% to X units for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Total exports indicated a tangible increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 41% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X units in 2021, and then reduced remarkably in the following year.

In value terms, non-refractory ceramic building bricks exports shrank slightly to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, recorded a buoyant increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when exports increased by 38% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X, and then shrank in the following year.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands (X units) and Belgium (X units) were the key exporters of non-refractory ceramic building bricks in 2022, resulting at approx. 29% and 22% of total exports, respectively. Germany (X units) took the next position in the ranking, distantly followed by Greece (X units), the Czech Republic (X units) and Spain (X units). All these countries together held approx. 29% share of total exports. The following exporters - Denmark (X units), Croatia (X units), Italy (X units), Slovenia (X units) and France (X units) - together made up 13% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Slovenia (with a CAGR of +21.0%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Belgium ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and Germany ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 69% share of total exports. Denmark, Spain, the Czech Republic, Italy, Greece, France, Croatia and Slovenia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 25%.

Among the main exporting countries, Slovenia, with a CAGR of +23.1%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in the European Union stood at $X per unit in 2022, increasing by 27% against the previous year. Export price indicated a temperate expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, non-refractory ceramic building bricks export price increased by +45.3% against 2020 indices. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Denmark ($X per unit), while Greece ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Italy (+6.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Non-Refractory Ceramic Building Bricks

Imports in the EU

In 2022, overseas purchases of non-refractory ceramic building bricks decreased by -7.2% to X units for the first time since 2017, thus ending a four-year rising trend. Total imports indicated moderate growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +63.3% against 2014 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 18%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X units, and then reduced in the following year.

In value terms, non-refractory ceramic building bricks imports reduced modestly to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated a buoyant increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +103.4% against 2015 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 23%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X, leveling off in the following year.

Imports by Country

The purchases of the twelve major importers of non-refractory ceramic building bricks, namely Germany, Bulgaria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Romania, Austria, France, Croatia, Poland, Sweden and Slovakia, represented more than two-thirds of total import.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Bulgaria (with a CAGR of +17.9%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest non-refractory ceramic building bricks importing markets in the European Union were Germany ($X), Belgium ($X) and the Czech Republic ($X), together comprising 39% of total imports. These countries were followed by France, Bulgaria, the Netherlands, Sweden, Austria, Romania, Poland, Slovakia and Croatia, which together accounted for a further 45%.

Bulgaria, with a CAGR of +19.1%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of 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 the European Union stood at $X per unit in 2022, growing by 7.5% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.0%. As a result, import 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 importers, the country with the highest price was France ($X per unit), while Croatia ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland (+6.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform