Ceramic building bricks market in Portugal

Earlier Report Observations

The Portuguese ceramic brick market expanded significantly from 2018 to 2021, with production value rising from 29.3 million dollars to 45.2 million dollars. This growth was underpinned by industry innovation, led by major producers like Preceram, which introduced design improvements to simplify construction and reduce mortar consumption. The sector, composed largely of small and medium enterprises with strong access to EU markets, demonstrated robust capacity, with over 1,000 firms generating substantial turnover by 2019.

Beginning in 2022, the industry faced an existential energy crisis as unprecedented gas price hikes pressured production costs and threatened plant closures. In response, the sector launched the 'Portugal Ceramics' promotional brand to boost international exports through trade fairs and marketing campaigns. These export initiatives helped drive production to a peak of 55.4 million dollars in 2023. However, by 2024, production declined to 49.7 million dollars, reflecting the ongoing strain of high energy costs on manufacturing operations.

Production ceramic building bricks in Portugal

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Portugal's ceramic building bricks production increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, output was valued at 45 232 K $ US, up 9.5% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, production grew by 54.3%, which translates to an annualized rate of 15.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Portugal in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Exports ceramic building bricks from Portugal

Exports in kind, t

Ceramic building bricks exports from Portugal rose for the third year in a row. In 2021, exports reached 18 380 t, marking a significant increase of 181.8% compared to the year before. From 2018 to 2021, exports surged by 4 910.8%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 268.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Portugal in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, the United Kingdom was the dominant partner for exports in kind, accounting for 80.0% of total flows, while other markets had relatively modest shares.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Portugal in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed an unstable trend over the period. Volumes hit a low in 2018 and peaked in 2021, with a 35-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Portugal exported 2 271 K $ US of ceramic building bricks, reflecting a sharp increase of 223.9% from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2020, at 7.8%, while the largest increase was in 2019, at 1 074.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Portugal in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, the United Kingdom was the primary destination for exports in value terms, making up 78.7% of total flows, with other markets forming a long tail of smaller partners.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Portugal in value, 2018-2021

Imports ceramic building bricks to Portugal

Imports in kind, t

Market performance saw noticeable fluctuations during this period. Volumes reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2021, with an 11.9-fold difference. In 2021, cross-border shipments of ceramic building bricks to Portugal totaled 12 126 t, showing a steep rise of 51.7% from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 017 t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 51.4%, while the largest increase was in 2020, at 685.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Portugal in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, imports in kind of ceramic building bricks to Portugal were highly concentrated on Spain, which accounted for 93.0% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Portugal in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Imports varied from a low in 2019 to a high in 2021, with a 23-fold difference. In 2021, ceramic building bricks shipments to Portugal from abroad reached 1 114 K $ US, representing an increase of 222.2% year-over-year. The minimum value was in 2019 at 48 K $ US. The largest decline was in 2019, at 35.4%, while the largest increase occurred in 2020, at 617.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Portugal in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Over 2018–2021, Spain remained the dominant partner for imports in value terms of ceramic building bricks to Portugal, with a share of 76.8% of total flows, while other markets formed a long tail.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Portugal in value, 2018-2021