Concrete or artificial stone blocks and bricks market in Sweden

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the Swedish market for concrete or artificial stone blocks and bricks maintained stable production and consumption volumes, with no major legislative changes or new market entrants reported. This period of relative calm was interrupted in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic caused global disruptions to manufacturing and supply chains, leading to production halts and delivery delays in Sweden that contributed to a slight contraction in market volume.

A strong recovery followed in 2021, with market volume surging as manufacturers resumed operations and expanded capacity after the pandemic's initial wave. This rebound was driven by the restart of construction activity and pent-up demand. The market stabilized in 2022, but rising global raw material costs for cement, sand, and aggregates began to pressure production expenses and final prices, tempering further growth.

The market experienced a sharp decline in 2023, with volume falling by over one-third. This downturn was primarily triggered by a 47% surge in import prices for building blocks and bricks, a consequence of global supply chain bottlenecks and high commodity costs. Although import prices fell by 21.2% in 2024, they remained elevated, and a simultaneous drop in export prices indicated ongoing international competitive pressures. Throughout the period, a gradual shift in consumer preferences toward more sustainable building materials was noted, though it did not become the dominant market driver.

Production concrete or artificial stone blocks and bricks in Sweden

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In Sweden, the output value of concrete or artificial stone blocks and bricks reached its lowest point in 2019 at 69 615 thousand US dollars. The following year, in 2020, production rebounded to 71 430 thousand US dollars, marking a 2.6% increase year-over-year. The peak value was recorded earlier, in 2018, at 73 356 thousand US dollars. The most significant annual decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 5.1%, while the largest increase was seen in 2018, at 4.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Sweden in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Sweden's production of concrete or artificial stone blocks and bricks in 2020 stood at 270.2 thousand tonnes, showing little change from the 2019 level. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 268.2 thousand tonnes. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production declined by 2.7%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 0.9%. The most substantial yearly drop occurred in 2018, at 3.5%, while the largest increase was in 2019, with a 0.8% rise.

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

Exports concrete or artificial stone blocks and bricks from Sweden

Exports in kind, t

Sweden's exports of concrete or artificial stone blocks and bricks have been declining for three consecutive years. In 2020, exports fell to 6 885 tonnes, a sharp reduction of 27.5% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 54.9%, averaging an annual decline of 23.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Sweden's exports of concrete or artificial stone blocks and bricks were heavily concentrated on Norway, which accounted for 86.2% of total flows. All other countries combined made up the remaining {rest_share}%.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Sweden's exports of concrete or artificial stone blocks and bricks in value terms have declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 2 743 thousand US dollars, down 13.7% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 43.4%, with an average annual decrease of 17.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Sweden's exports of concrete or artificial stone blocks and bricks in value terms were Norway, accounting for 62.3% of exports, Germany at 9.2%, and Estonia at 8.9%. Together, these three countries represented 80.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports concrete or artificial stone blocks and bricks to Sweden

Imports in kind, t

Sweden's imports of concrete or artificial stone blocks and bricks have declined for three consecutive years. In 2020, imports totaled 63 014 tonnes, a decrease of 12.1% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 22.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -8.1%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Germany, Poland, and Denmark were the key sources for Sweden's imports of concrete or artificial stone blocks and bricks in volume terms. Germany accounted for 53.5% of imports, Poland for 25.1%, and Denmark for 10.6%, together making up 89.2% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Sweden's imports of concrete or artificial stone blocks and bricks in value terms have declined for two consecutive years. In 2020, imports amounted to 16 259 thousand US dollars, a significant drop of 13.5% from the previous year. The peak import value was recorded in 2018 at 21 909 thousand US dollars. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 14%, averaging an annual decline of 4.9%. The largest yearly decrease occurred in 2019, at 14.2%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, with a 15.9% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for Sweden's imports of concrete or artificial stone blocks and bricks in value terms were Germany, Denmark, and Poland. Together, they accounted for 72.1% of total import flows.

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

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