2014: a mixed year for Spanish tiles

The Spanish ceramic tile industry continued its recovery in 2014, albeit at a slower pace than in 2013 when it marked up the best growth performance of the last 6 years.

Production is estimated at around 425 million sq.m, up 1% on 2013 volumes, while total turnover rose to 2,895 million euros, an increase of 100 million euros (+3.5%).

Two figures are particularly interesting.

The first concerns exports, which make up 80% of the industry's total turnover. In 2014 the value of Spanish exports grew by 3.6% (compared to 8% in 2013) to reach 2,320 million euros, for the first time returning to and surpassing the pre-crisis level of 2007 (2,295 million euros).

The second key figure concerns the domestic market, which returned to positive territory for the first time after 6 years of steady contraction with domestic sales of 575 million euros, 3.2% up on 2013.

"In spite of the positive figures, the situation remains difficult," said Isidro Zarzoso, chairman of the Spanish ceramic tile manufacturers' association Ascer.

Read online the full article published on Ceramic World Review 110 or download the pdf version of the article