Ceramic building bricks market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The Spanish ceramic building bricks market experienced sustained growth from 2018 to 2022, with its value rising from 182 million US dollars to 320.5 million US dollars. This expansion was initially driven by the recovery of the construction sector and an increase in housing starts and completions. Innovation played a key role, with leading manufacturers like La Paloma Cerámicas introducing new, efficient brick models designed for improved technical performance and aesthetics. By 2021, national production surged by 48.5%, fueled by rising demand for bricks with enhanced thermal and acoustic properties to meet building code standards, alongside significant investments in new production lines and EU aid to offset soaring energy costs for manufacturers.

Growth continued into 2022, supported by ongoing European subsidies for energy overcosts and investments in modernizing production for sustainability. However, political uncertainty and the postponement of residential projects began to dampen momentum, leading to a reported 6.8% decline in production by September of that year. This downturn presaged a broader market contraction, with the market value falling to 300.3 million US dollars in 2023 and further to 252.9 million US dollars in 2024.

Production ceramic building bricks in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Ceramic building brick production in Spain has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 224.6 million US dollars, representing a modest 4.3% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 26.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.2%.

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

Exports ceramic building bricks from Spain

Exports in kind, K t

Ceramic building brick exports from Spain have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 122.4 thousand tons, marking an 11.8% year-over-year increase. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 9.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.1%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 105.9 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 5.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France accounted for 26.5% of Spain's ceramic building brick exports by volume, followed by New Zealand at 17.7% and Portugal at 13.4%. Together, these three countries represented 57.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Ceramic building brick shipments from Spain to international markets have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Spain exported 21,906 thousand US dollars worth of ceramic building bricks, a 16.9% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 26.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, New Zealand was the leading destination for Spain's ceramic building brick exports by value, accounting for 24.0% of total exports. Australia followed with 18.6%, and France with 18.1%. Together, these three countries represented 60.7% of total export value.

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

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

Imports ceramic building bricks to Spain

Imports in kind, K t

Import volumes of ceramic building bricks to Spain showed irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2017, while the highest reached 2.9 thousand tons in 2019, reflecting a 7.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports totaled 1.1 thousand tons, representing a 62.9% decrease from the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with growth of 438.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom and France were the primary sources of ceramic building brick imports to Spain by volume, while other markets played a less significant role.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Import values of ceramic building bricks to Spain showed significant volatility during this period. The lowest value was recorded in 2017, while the highest reached 734 thousand US dollars in 2019, representing a 3.3-fold difference. In 2020, Spain imported approximately 387 thousand US dollars worth of ceramic building bricks, marking a sharp 47.2% year-over-year decline. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with growth of 114.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France was the leading supplier of ceramic building bricks to Spain by value, accounting for 34.3% of total imports. The United Kingdom followed with 23.1%, and Italy with 13.0%. Together, these three countries represented 70.3% of total import value.

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

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