Anderson, S.C—U.S. ceramic tile consumption rose 15.3% by volume in the third quarter 2021 year to date, compared to the same timeframe in 2020, according to the Ceramic Tile Market Update released by the Tile Council of North America (TCNA).
U.S. Tile Consumption Overview:
The following table shows U.S. tile shipments, imports, exports and total consumption in thousands of square feet.
| Year | U.S. Shipments (incl. Exports) | Imports | Exports | Total Consumption* | % Change in Consumption vs. Previous Year |
| Q1 2021 | 225,283 | 532,542 | 9,772 | 748,054 | 17.8** |
| 2020 | 902,290 | 1,966,443 | 31,009 | 2,837,724 | -3.5 |
| 2019 | 895,332 | 2,077,038 | 31,782 | 2,940,588 | -5.4 |
| 2018 | 940,300 | 2,196,935 | 29,746 | 3,107,489 | 1.5 |
| 2017 | 990,972 | 2,099,307 | 28,492 | 3,061,787 | 5.7 |
Imports:
The U.S. imported 1.68 billon square feet of ceramic tile 3Q 2021 YTD, up 21.5% from 3Q 2020 YTD.
Imports made up 71.6% of U.S. tile consumption by volume through 3Q 2021, up from 69.4% in 2020.
Spain remained the largest exporter to the U.S. by volume through 3Q 2021 with a 21.9% share of U.S. imports, followed by Italy (17.6% share of imports) and Mexico (16.7%).
The five countries from which the most tiles were imported through 3Q 2021, based on volume were:
| Country | Sq. Ft. 3Q 2021 YTD | Sq. Ft. 3Q 2020 YTD | % Change |
| Spain | 367,682,855 | 285,501,669 | 28.8% |
| Italy | 295,079,537 | 237,523,788 | 24.2% |
| Mexico | 279,766,808 | 242,830,375 | 15.2% |
| Turkey | 215,043,663 | 181,269,569 | 18.6% |
| Brazil | 169,791,118 | 167,240,028 | 1.5% |
| All Countries | 1,677,938,612 | 1,381,193,877 | 21.5% |
By dollar value (CIF + duty) Italy remained the largest exporter to the U.S. (3Q 2021 YTD), comprising 32.1% of U.S. imports, followed by Spain (25.0%) and Mexico (10.2%).
The five countries from which the most tiles were imported 3Q 2021 YTD, based on total U.S. dollar value (CIF + duty) were:
| Country | Sq. Ft. 3Q 2021 YTD | Sq. Ft. 3Q 2020 YTD | % Change |
| Italy | 594,976,419 | 457,640,278 | 30.0% |
| Spain | 463,180,221 | 326,988,147 | 41.7 |
| Mexico | 188,484,861 | 161,266,282 | 16.9% |
| Turkey | 160,860,267 | 136,020,557 | 18.3% |
| India | 125,312,563 | 82,006,418 | 52.8% |
| All Countries | 1,885,774,914 | 1,415,438,656 | 31.1% |
The average values of tile (including CIF + duty) from the five countries from which the most tiles were imported by volume 3Q 2021 YTD were:
| Country | Sq. Ft. 3Q 2021 YTD | $ Val 3Q 2021 YTD | Val/Sq. Ft. 3Q 2021 YTD | Val/Sq. Ft. 3Q 2020 YTD |
| Spain | 367,682,855 | 463,180,221 | $1.26 | $1.15 |
| Italy | 295,079,537 | 594,976,419 | $2.02 | $1.93 |
| Mexico | 279,043,663 | 160,860,267 | $0.75 | $0.75 |
| Brazil | 169,791,118 | 117,102,821 | $0.69 | $0.65 |
| Turkey | 215, 043,663 | 160,860,267 | $0.75 | $0.75 |
| All Countries | 1,677,938,612 | 1,855,774,914 | $1.11 | $1.02 |
U.S. Shipments:
U.S. shipments (less exports) 3Q 2021 YTD were 665.2 million square feet, up 2.2% vs. 3Q 2020 YTD.
In dollar value, 3Q 2021 YTD U.S. FOB factory sales were $1,026,598,210, up 5.6% vs. 3Q 2020 YTD.
The dollar value/square feet of U.S. shipments (less exports) 3Q 2021 YTD was $1.54, up from $1.49 (3Q 2020 YTD).
U.S. Exports:
U.S. ceramic tile exports 3Q 2021 YTD were 28.0 million square feet, up 19.2% vs. 3Q 2020 YTD.
The largest recipients of U.S. exports by volume were Canada (71.3%) and Mexico (14.6%).
Housing Market Highlights:
New Home Starts:
November 2021 new home starts were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,679,000 units, an 11.8% increase from the previous month and an 8.3% increase from Nov. 2020
New Single Family Home Sales
Oct. 2021 new one-family home sales were at a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of 745,000 units, a 0.4% increase from Sept. 2021 but a 23.1% decrease from Oct. 2020.
