Brazil Ceramic Tile Exports Decline in 2007

São Paulo, Brazil, December 18, 2007--The Brazilian ceramic tile industry sold 636 million square meters of products this year, a 6.37% rise compared with 2006, according to the Brazil-Arab News Agency.

"The year has ended well and the prospects for 2008 are great as well," stated the superintendent at the Brazilian Association of Ceramic Tile Manufacturers (Anfacer), Antonio Carlos Kieling. The domestic market, driven by a heating of the civil construction industry, was mainly responsible for the performance.

According to Kieling, the Brazilian market grew 10%, with sales totaling 532 million square meters.

Kieling said the ceramics industry is operating at more than 90% of its total production capacity, which was 698 million square meters this year, an increase of 3.8% in comparison with last year. According to estimates, capacity should grow 4% in 2008.

Exports, however, declined. Foreign sales totaled $ 397 million this year, a reduction of 7.7% compared with last year. In terms of volume, exports had an even greater decrease, of 9.3%. To Kieling, the main reason is the exchange rate, as the Brazilian real is currently appreciated against the dollar.

Even so, Brazil continues to be the fourth largest exporter in the world. The leading importers from Brazil are the United States, Argentina, Chile, South Africa and Canada. Brazil is responsible for 16% of imports by the United States, the world's largest importer of ceramics.