Editor's note
Importers should note the diverging trends between ceramic tiles and sanitary ware. While tile exports from China are contracting, the rising average price signals a move toward higher-value products, which may affect sourcing costs. The explosive growth in sanitary ceramic exports to specific markets like Mexico and Southeast Asia indicates strong regional demand and potential supply chain focus shifts. Buyers should monitor these trends for pricing and availability implications.
In 2018, China's ceramic tile exports continued to decline, with export volume falling 15.6% to 692 million square meters and value dropping 9.95% to $3.986 billion, returning to 2010 levels. Domestic tile production also fell 11.2% to 9.011 billion square meters. In contrast, sanitary ceramic exports grew significantly, with value rising 18.74% to $5.049 billion and average unit price increasing from $3.08/kg to $3.66/kg. Key growth markets for sanitary ware included Mexico (up 110.31%), India, Vietnam, Thailand, and Germany, all exceeding 50% growth, while the US remained the top destination by volume. The average export price for ceramic tiles showed a positive trend, rising 6.86% to $5.76 per square meter, indicating a shift toward higher-value products.
China's ceramic tile exports faced continued challenges in 2018, with overall volume and value declining. Export volume reached 692 million square meters, a decrease of 15.6% year-on-year, while export value fell 9.95% to $3.986 billion, nearly halving from 2015 levels and returning to the export scale of 2010.
Domestic production also contracted significantly, dropping 11.2% to 9.011 billion square meters for the year, influenced by factors including rising labor and raw material costs, frequent anti-dumping measures, and product homogenization. In contrast, the sanitary ceramic sector performed strongly. Production increased by 1.0% to 210 million pieces.
Exports surged, with value growing 18.74% to $5.049 billion and the average unit price rising from $3.08 per kilogram to $3.66 per kilogram. Several key export markets for sanitary ware saw exceptional growth, with shipments to Mexico increasing by 110.31%, and exports to India, Vietnam, Thailand, and Germany all growing by over 50%.
The United States remained the largest single destination, accounting for 13.77% of export value at $695 million, though its growth rate was minimal at 0.37%.
Despite the overall downturn in tile exports, the average export price showed a positive shift, increasing by 6.86% to $5.76 per square meter, suggesting a rising proportion of mid-to-high-end products in the export mix.
The industry price index for building and sanitary ceramics experienced volatility in 2018, influenced by uncertain US-China trade negotiations, but the annual average index still rose 1.4% to 103.7 points.
Related sales path
Sources
Source article: 2018年中国瓷砖行业出口现状分析 出口规模延续下滑走势 卫生陶瓷出口逆势增长 | Source publish time: 2018 | Source language: zh
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