Non-Refractory Ceramic Building Bricks Market

The global market for non-refractory ceramic building bricks is poised for growth, with a forecasted CAGR of +2.2% from 2022 to 2030. China leads in consumption and production of these bricks, while the UK and the US are key importers. Belgium and the Netherlands are major exporters. Import and export prices have shown steady growth over the past decade.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for non-refractory ceramic building bricks worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to accelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +2.2% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 143B units by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +14.2% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $147.2B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Non-Refractory Ceramic Building Bricks

In 2022, consumption of non-refractory ceramic building bricks was finally on the rise to reach 120B units after three years of decline. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, consumption attained the peak volume of 142B units. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the global consumption remained at a lower figure.

The global non-refractory ceramic building bricks market size surged to $50.9B in 2022, rising by 16% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Overall, consumption, however, recorded a mild setback. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $189.2B. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the global market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Consumption By Country

China (23B units) remains the largest non-refractory ceramic building bricks consuming country worldwide, comprising approx. 19% of total volume. Moreover, non-refractory ceramic building bricks consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, Brazil (6.1B units), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Russia (5.7B units), with a 4.7% share.

In China, non-refractory ceramic building bricks consumption expanded at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Brazil (+3.1% per year) and Russia (-2.8% per year).

In value terms, China ($9.3B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was taken by Indonesia ($1.6B). It was followed by Pakistan.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in China totaled +1.8%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Indonesia (+3.7% per year) and Pakistan (+6.1% per year).

The countries with the highest levels of non-refractory ceramic building bricks per capita consumption in 2022 were Canada (49 units per person), the UK (42 units per person) and Russia (40 units per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the UK (with a CAGR of +9.8%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Non-Refractory Ceramic Building Bricks

In 2022, after three years of decline, there was growth in production of non-refractory ceramic building bricks, when its volume increased by 2% to 121B units. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 20% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak volume of 143B units. From 2019 to 2022, global production growth remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, non-refractory ceramic building bricks production rose modestly to $46.6B in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the production volume increased by 12%. Over the period under review, global production reached the maximum level in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Production By Country

China (23B units) constituted the country with the largest volume of non-refractory ceramic building bricks production, comprising approx. 19% of total volume. Moreover, non-refractory ceramic building bricks production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Brazil (6.1B units), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Russia (5.8B units), with a 4.8% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in China amounted to +1.1%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Brazil (+3.1% per year) and Russia (-2.3% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Non-Refractory Ceramic Building Bricks

In 2022, after six years of growth, there was significant decline in supplies from abroad of non-refractory ceramic building bricks, when their volume decreased by -33.2% to 2B units. In general, imports, however, saw a modest expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 17% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of 3B units, and then dropped dramatically in the following year.

In value terms, non-refractory ceramic building bricks imports expanded remarkably to $1.1B in 2022. Overall, total imports indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +7.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +102.1% against 2015 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 29%. Over the period under review, global imports attained the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Imports By Country

The UK (339M units) and the United States (305M units) were the key importers of non-refractory ceramic building bricks in 2022, recording near 17% and 15% of total imports, respectively. Belgium (131M units) held a 6.6% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Germany (6.5%) and Kazakhstan (5.4%). New Zealand (68M units), France (59M units), the Netherlands (56M units), Canada (55M units), Bulgaria (52M units), Peru (51M units), North Macedonia (44M units) and Montenegro (41M units) held a little share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by the United States (with a CAGR of +16.8%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the UK ($347M) constitutes the largest market for imported non-refractory ceramic building bricks worldwide, comprising 33% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Germany ($66M), with a 6.2% share of global imports. It was followed by Belgium, with a 6% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in the UK stood at +25.5%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Germany (+3.1% per year) and Belgium (+8.9% per year).

Import Prices By Country

The average non-refractory ceramic building bricks import price stood at $0.5 per unit in 2022, surging by 72% against the previous year. In general, import price indicated a resilient increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +6.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, non-refractory ceramic building bricks import price increased by +89.9% against 2020 indices. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the UK ($1 per unit), while North Macedonia ($0.2 per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Bulgaria (+11.8%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Non-Refractory Ceramic Building Bricks

After two years of growth, shipments abroad of non-refractory ceramic building bricks decreased by -26.8% to 2.6B units in 2022. Over the period under review, total exports indicated a mild expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 24% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of 3.6B units, and then shrank markedly in the following year.

In value terms, non-refractory ceramic building bricks exports amounted to $1.2B in 2022. In general, exports, however, showed prominent growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 41% against the previous year. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports By Country

In 2022, Belgium (535M units) and the Netherlands (503M units) were the main exporters of non-refractory ceramic building bricksin the world, together achieving 39% of total exports. It was distantly followed by China (155M units), Serbia (149M units) and Germany (148M units), together achieving a 17% share of total exports. The United States (118M units), Russia (93M units), Belarus (81M units), Spain (80M units), Denmark (68M units), Uzbekistan (67M units), Mexico (66M units) and Greece (55M units) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by Uzbekistan (with a CAGR of +76.1%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Belgium ($262M), the Netherlands ($214M) and Germany ($108M) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, together comprising 49% of global exports. China, Denmark, Spain, Uzbekistan, the United States, Russia, Mexico, Serbia, Belarus and Greece lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 31%.

Uzbekistan, with a CAGR of +95.0%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average non-refractory ceramic building bricks export price amounted to $0.4 per unit, picking up by 43% against the previous year. Overall, export price indicated buoyant growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +6.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, non-refractory ceramic building bricks export price increased by +96.8% against 2015 indices. As a result, the export price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Denmark ($0.9 per unit), while Serbia ($0.2 per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (+11.4%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform