Anderson, S.C.—The Tile Council of North America (TCNA) has released its 2Q 2020 U.S. Ceramic Tile Industry Update. According to the group, U.S. ceramic tile consumption through 2Q 2020 took a major blow, registering at 1.24 billion square feet, down 17.1% vs. 2Q 2019.
Imports
Through 2Q 2020, 815.8 million square feet of ceramic tile arrived in the U.S., down 22.2% from 2Q 2019. Imports through 2Q 2020 comprised 65.5% of U.S. tile consumption (by volume), down from 70.6% in 2019.
Spain was the largest exporter to the U.S. through 2Q 2020 with a 20.9% share of U.S. imports (by volume), followed by Mexico (18.3%), and Italy (18.0%).
The five countries from which the most tiles were imported through 2Q 2020 based on volume were: Spain, Mexico, Italy, Turkey and Brazil.
Italy remained the largest exporter to the U.S. on a dollar basis (CIF + duty) through 2Q 2020, comprising 33.4% of U.S. imports, followed by Spain (23.1% share) and Mexico (11.5% share).
The five countries from which the most tiles were imported through 2Q 2020 based on total U.S. dollar value (CIF + duty) were: Italy, Spain, Mexico, Turkey and Brazil.
The average values of tile (CIF + duty) from the five countries from which the most tiles were imported (based on volume) through 2Q 2020 were: Spain, Mexico, Italy, Turkey and Brazil.
Preliminary countervailing duty and antidumping determinations were announced in September and November of 2019, respectively. The trade remedy case was filed by a coalition of several U.S. manufacturers, which petitioned the federal government to remedy unfairly dumped and subsidized ceramic tile imports from China. This had a major impact on perceived consumption as China’s imports to the U.S. dropped significantly in the second half of the year (see chart above).
U.S. Shipments
U.S. shipments (less exports) through 2Q 2020 were 429.1 million square feet, down 5.5% vs. 2Q 2019 YTD. The dollar value/square foot of U.S. shipments (less exports) through 2Q 2020 was $1.49, down from $1.53 (2Q 2019 YTD).
U.S.-produced tile comprised 34.5% of the U.S. ceramic tile market by volume through 2Q 2020 and 42.8% by $ value.
Exports
U.S. ceramic tile exports through 2Q 2020 rose 2.5% (by volume) from 2Q 2019 YTD. The vast majority of these exports were to Canada (71.9%) and Mexico (13.0%).
Economic highlights
