Spain: 3.5% growth in 2007

According to preliminary figures announced on 17 January by Ascer chairman Fernando Diago, 2007 was a growth year for the Spanish ceramic industry. Total sales amounted to 4.12 billion euro, 3.5% up on last year’s figure.

The best results were achieved in international markets where Spanish companies generated a turnover of 2.3 billion euro (5.5% up on 2006), with exports accounting for 56% of total turnover.
Europe was once again the main export market in 2007 with annual growth of 14.8%. European countries account for 67% of exports.
EU-27 absorbs the largest share (50% of total exports).
According to the latest available figures for October, the largest increases were achieved in Romania (37.5%), Greece (24.6%), Italy (24%), France (11.9%), the United Kingdom (4%) and Germany (2.2%).
The strong performances achieved in Europe compensated for the fall in exports to the United States, which however continue to account for 6.6% of Spanish exports.

Domestic sales rose by 2% compared to 2006 to reach 1.84 billion euro. 94% of the tiles installed in Spain last year were locally produced.

By contrast, the Spanish tile industry’s production fell by 3.8% on 2006 to reach 585 million sq.m. (Editor’s note: the data were calculated on the basis of the new time series presented by Ascer last November)

2008 is expected to be a year of consolidation in markets of the European Union, Eastern Europe and North Africa (especially Morocco and Algeria). The domestic market is expected to perform strongly in the refurbishing segment.