Ceramic building bricks market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The market for ceramic building bricks in Germany expanded from $692.7 million in 2018 to a peak of $831.4 million in 2022. This growth was supported by sustained demand from the housing construction sector, where brick remained a key material for multi-story residential projects. Municipal housing companies and cooperatives increasingly turned to durable, low-maintenance brick constructions to create affordable housing, while a broader focus on energy efficiency in buildings boosted demand for insulation materials often used alongside bricks.

A sharp contraction began in 2023, with market volume falling to $612.6 million and further to $480.1 million in 2024. The downturn was driven by a sustained decline in building permits, which dropped by 16.8% in 2023 and continued to fall, directly reducing construction activity. High brick prices, resulting from the energy supply crisis following the Ukraine war, further dampened demand. Amid the slump, the industry pursued technical innovations such as the cold brick and alternative cement binders to improve sustainability.

Production ceramic building bricks in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's production of ceramic building bricks has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, output reached 795.8 million US dollars, up 4.8% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 10.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports ceramic building bricks from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

Germany's exports of ceramic building bricks fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 700.3 thousand tonnes, a 15.3% drop from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports declined by 10.4%, with an average annual decrease of 3.6%. The peak was in 2018 at 881.1 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 12.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, the Netherlands, and Czechia were the top partners for Germany's ceramic building bricks exports by volume. Poland accounted for 27.3% of exports, the Netherlands for 12.5%, and Czechia for 11.3%, together making up 51.1% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Germany's cross-border shipments of ceramic building bricks in value terms decreased for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports were valued at 100.3 million US dollars, down 5.9% from the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 19%, with an average annual rate of 6.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 107.1 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 27.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In value terms, Germany's exports of ceramic building bricks from 2017 to 2020 showed a diversified partner structure. Poland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom were key markets, with Poland at 16.0% of exports, the Netherlands at 14.2%, and the UK at 10.9%, together accounting for 41.1% of total flows. The remaining 58.9% was spread across numerous smaller markets.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020

Imports ceramic building bricks to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Germany's imports of ceramic building bricks by volume have risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume stood at 406.0 thousand tonnes, a strong increase of 14.7% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 29%, equivalent to an average annual rate of 8.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Denmark were the main sources for Germany's ceramic building bricks imports by volume, together accounting for 84.4% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Germany's imports of ceramic building bricks in value terms have increased for the third year running. In 2020, imports totaled 62.3 million US dollars, up 16.7% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 35.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 10.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In value terms, the leading sources for Germany's ceramic building bricks imports from 2017 to 2020 were Belgium, the Netherlands, and Denmark. Belgium accounted for 32.8% of imports, the Netherlands for 32.2%, and Denmark for 20.2%, together making up 85.1% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020