Italian ceramic industry shows positive signs in the first quarter of 2011

The initial data for the first quarter of 2011 indicate a variable trend in the Italian ceramic tile industry, which nonetheless remains in positive territory with the prospect of reaching 400 million sq.m this year (+4%).

In the first quarter of this year, the industry posted 4.7% growth in Europe, including particularly strong figures in France (+8.8%), Germany (+8.4%), the UK (+14%) and Russia (+22%), as well as in Africa (+20%). By contrast, a sharp fall was reported in NAFTA countries (-10%) due to the slump in the building sector and the unfavourable euro/dollar exchange rate.

During the first quarter of 2011, the ceramic tile sector reported average growth of 3.10% in value and 1.5% in square metres. This was a combined result of the growth in exports which offset the persistent downturn in the Italian domestic market.