Ceramic tiles, mosaics and finishing ceramics market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, ceramic tile production in Germany fell by approximately 4.5% due to plant closures, leading to a 3.3% decline in sales. Despite this, the market volume remained stable at around 89 million m². The following year, the market stabilized despite the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, supported by positive construction activity. In 2020, tile purchases in Germany grew by 9.4%, fueled by government housing incentives such as the 'Bonus 110%', which pushed market volume to 92.6 million m².

Market volume continued to rise in 2021, reaching 101.2 million m², a 9.3% increase over 2020. However, in 2022, it retreated to 96.5 million m², signaling a shift in market momentum.

Industrial sales of ceramic tiles in Germany plummeted by 29.5% in 2023, driven by high energy costs and strict subsidy regulations, which corrected the market overheating from the pandemic period. In 2024, pressure persisted: sales dipped slightly, and production and market volume continued to be constrained by elevated energy expenses, regulatory changes like new EU-ETS allocations for new market entrants, and political uncertainty stemming from the Building Energy Act (GEG), which dampened investment decisions in the renovation sector.

Production ceramic tiles, mosaics and finishing ceramics in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's production of ceramic tiles, mosaics, and finishing ceramics declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 525.4 million US dollars, marking a 7.7% contraction from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 13.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.8%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K m²

Germany's production volume of ceramic tiles, mosaics, and finishing ceramics fell for the third year in a row. In 2020, 42 242 thousand square meters were produced, representing an 8.0% loss compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 16.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K m²

Exports ceramic tiles, mosaics and finishing ceramics from Germany

Exports in kind, K m²

Germany's export volume of ceramic tiles, mosaics, and finishing ceramics declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 26 183 thousand square meters, showing a gradual loss of 4.7% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 3.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.2%. The maximum volume was recorded in 2018 at 28 022 thousand square meters, which also saw the largest increase of 3.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K m²

From 2017 to 2020, exports in kind of ceramic tiles, mosaics, and finishing ceramics from Germany were relatively evenly distributed. The Netherlands accounted for 16.0% of exports, Austria for 13.7%, and Switzerland for 10.5%, with these three countries together making up 40.3% 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

The value of ceramic tiles, mosaics, and finishing ceramics exported from Germany declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 386.2 million US dollars, indicating a modest fall of 8.0% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 10.7%, equating to an annualized rate of -3.7%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 441.4 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 2.0%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports in value terms were spread across a wide range of partner countries. Switzerland accounted for 11.9% of exports, the Netherlands for 11.7%, and Austria for 11.1%, with these three jointly representing 34.6% of total flows.

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 tiles, mosaics and finishing ceramics to Germany

Imports in kind, K m²

Germany's import volume of ceramic tiles, mosaics, and finishing ceramics increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, 76 492 thousand square meters were imported, indicating a limited rise of 9.0% over the past year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 10.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K m²

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Turkey, and Poland consistently remained the main sources for imports in kind. Italy accounted for 39.6% of imports, Turkey for 16.7%, and Poland for 12.6%, together making up 68.9% of total flows.

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

In 2020, the value of imported ceramic tiles, mosaics, and finishing ceramics in Germany totaled 888.2 million US dollars, up by 12.4% compared with 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 10.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.3%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 790.0 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 5.5%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Italy, Turkey, and Spain remained the key sources for imports in value terms. Italy accounted for 53.8% of imports, Turkey for 11.2%, and Spain for 9.6%, together taking 74.7% 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