Spanish glaze and colour producers continue to see falling sales

Sales figures for May (-42% on May 2019) were worse than the already poor results for April (-40%)

As anticipated, sales figures for the Spanish ceramic glaze and colour producers in May were worse than the already negative results for April. According to the trade association ANFFECC, turnover fell by 42% compared to May 2019, a two percentage point greater decline than the previous month. Exports suffered a further fall, down 43% with respect to May 2019 (compared to -37% in April), while Spanish domestic sales recovered 9 points in a month, closing at -40% against May 2019. So while the domestic market is showing signs of gradual recovery thanks to the resumption of production activity in the Castellón ceramic district, foreign markets are still a cause for concern, particularly given that they account for more than 70% of the Spanish glaze and colour producers’ annual turnover.

Despite this normally being the busiest time of year in terms of sales, ANFFECC notes that global tile production has declined considerably in recent months as the pandemic continues to impact construction activity and ceramic tile sales in many countries, creating a domino effect along the entire supply chain.

For the time being, the Spanish glaze and colour producers are pinning their biggest hopes of a June recovery on the gradual upturn in demand in the domestic market. In such a complex and uncertain scenario, entrepreneurs in the sector are complaining above all about the lack of liquidity, an issue that was discussed during the ANFFECC Annual Members’ Meeting held on 12 June by videoconference.

During the meeting, Chairman Joaquín Font de Mora recalled the association’s efforts urging the Central Government and the local Autonomous Community to take measures to reduce the tax burden, facilitate access to credit and kick-start construction by investing in public works and the building renovation segment.

The Members’ Meeting also renewed the association’s officers, electing Fernando Fabra (Esmaltes) as the new Vice Chairman and representatives of AL-Farben, Esmalglass and Ferro Spain as members of the Board of Directors.