Tile Consumption Rose 17.8% YOY in Q1 2021, Says TCNA

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Tile Consumption Rose 17.8% YOY in Q1 2021, Says TCNA

Orlando, FL, July 8, 2021-While last year was extremely difficult for the U.S. ceramic tile market, which was negatively impacted by the COVID-19 health crisis and declined for the second consecutive year, 2021 is off to an excellent start, reports the Tile Council of North America (TCNA) in its Q1 2021 U.S. Ceramic Tile Market Update.

Through Q1 2021, total U.S. ceramic tile consumption was up 17.8% by volume versus Q1 2020.  If the current pace continues for the full year, U.S. consumption would reach a record-high of 3.34 billion square feet. 

In Q1 2021, the U.S. imported 532.5 million square feet of ceramic tile, up 26.0% from Q1 2020.  

Imports made up 71.2% of U.S. tile consumption by volume in Q1 2021, up from 69.3% the previous year.

Spain, having replaced China last year as the largest exporter to the U.S. by volume, retained the top position in Q1 2021 with a 20.0% share of U.S. imports, a slight decrease from its 20.7% share last year.  

Mexico was the second largest exporter to the U.S. by volume, comprising 18.1% of imports through Q1, its highest share since 2017. 

Italy was in the third position with a 14.0% share of imports, down from 16.6% last year, and its lowest level on record.  

However, on a dollar basis (CIF + duty) Italy remained the largest exporter to the U.S. in Q1 2021, comprising 27.4% of U.S. imports, followed by Spain (23.1%) and Mexico (11.6%).

U.S. shipments (less exports) in Q1 2021 were 215.5 million sq. ft., up 1.5% versus Q1 2020.

Representing 28.8% of all tile consumed in the U.S. by volume, domestically-produced tile remained far ahead of all individual countries exporting tile to the U.S. In fact, domestically-made tile’s market share was more than double that of Spain’s, the largest exporter to the U.S., which comprised 14.2% of all tile consumed in the U.S. by volume.

In dollar value, Q1 2021 U.S. FOB factory sales of domestic shipments were $326.1 million, up 1.3% versus Q1 2020. Domestically-produced tile made up 37.7% of total U.S. consumption by dollar value.  

The dollar value per square foot of domestic shipments in Q1 2021 was $1.51, down from $1.52 in Q1 2020. 

U.S. ceramic tile exports in Q1 2021 were 9.8 million square foot, up 11.4% versus Q1 2020.

The vast majority of U.S. exports in square feet went to Canada (69.9%) and Mexico (16.3%).