Concrete or artificial stone blocks and bricks market in Ireland

Earlier Report Observations

The market for concrete or artificial stone blocks and bricks in Ireland showed strong volume growth from 2018 to 2021, with physical market size rising from 3.9 million metric tons to a peak of 4.6 million metric tons. This expansion was followed by a sharp contraction in 2022, where the market volume fell to 2.8 million metric tons and declined further to 2.3 million metric tons by 2024.

A marked shift occurred in the market's value dynamics from 2023 onward. Sustained inflationary pressures on building materials took hold, with cement prices following a clear upward trajectory due to rising costs and demand patterns. This was reflected in an 11% increase in wholesale prices for concrete and blocks between mid-2023 and mid-2024.

The trend of rising material costs continued through 2024, with prices for concrete blocks and bricks increasing by 7.9% over the year. These persistent cost increases drove the market value to $381 million in 2024, a significant rise despite the lower physical volume, highlighting how price factors reshaped the market's economic profile.

Production concrete or artificial stone blocks and bricks in Ireland

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Ireland's production of concrete and artificial stone blocks and bricks saw two years of growth before declining. In 2019, output reached its peak at 240.8 million US dollars, but by 2020 it had fallen to 222.8 million US dollars, marking a 7.5% year-over-year contraction. Over the full period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 23.4%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 7.3%. The most significant annual increase occurred in 2018, when production surged by 30.7%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

After two years of gains, Ireland's production volume of concrete and artificial stone blocks and bricks experienced a decline. In 2019, output peaked at 4 165 thousand tonnes, but in 2020 it dropped to 3 894 thousand tonnes, representing a modest 6.5% decrease compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, overall production rose by 16.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.3%. The largest annual increase was recorded in 2018, when production grew by 19.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Ireland in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports concrete or artificial stone blocks and bricks from Ireland

Exports in kind, K t

Ireland's exports of concrete and artificial stone blocks and bricks declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 67.3 thousand tonnes, down 6.9% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 32.9%, which corresponds to an average annual decline of 12.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom was the primary destination for Ireland's exports of concrete and artificial stone blocks and bricks in volume terms, absorbing 99.9% of the total.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Ireland's export value of concrete and artificial stone blocks and bricks fell for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 6 299 thousand US dollars, a sharp decline of 43.9% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports dropped by 52.9%, with a compound annual decrease of 22.2%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom dominated Ireland's export structure in value terms, consistently accounting for 99.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports concrete or artificial stone blocks and bricks to Ireland

Imports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, Ireland's imports of concrete and artificial stone blocks and bricks declined. In 2019, imports reached their highest point at 69.7 thousand tonnes, but in 2020 they fell to 61.8 thousand tonnes, a significant 11.3% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 54.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 15.5%. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019, when imports rose by 32.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Kingdom and Belgium together accounted for the vast majority of Ireland's imports in volume terms, jointly representing 99.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. In 2019, imports peaked at 19 537 thousand US dollars, but by 2020 they had dropped to 17 271 thousand US dollars, a solid 11.6% decrease from the previous year. The span from 2017 to 2019 exhibited a peak-to-trough amplitude of 2.4 times. The largest annual increase was recorded in 2019, when imports surged by 80.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom and Belgium were the core sources for Ireland's imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 97.6% of total flows, while other destinations had relatively modest shares.

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

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