Ceramic sector records best April ever for exports

April 2021 was the best April recorded for exports in the Brazilian ceramic industry, placing the country as the fourth largest exporter on the planet in the period. This is according to a Market Intelligence survey by the National Association of Manufacturers of Ceramics for Coatings, Sanitary Ware, and Similar (ANFACER), representing companies in the sector.

In the month, sales abroad grew by 90% in revenue (US$) and by 104% in volume (m²) compared to the same period in 2020. In the year-to-date result for January to April 2021, the growth was 45% in revenue and 48% in volume compared to the same period last year.

Compared to March 2021, the data was also positive, with a growth of 24% in both revenue and volume.

“April 2020 was the height of the pandemic in Brazil when the activity in the sector practically stopped”, informs Alais Coluchi, International Relations Consultant at ANFACER. The executive explains that after this most critical moment, both production and sales gradually recovered. In June of last year, both indicators reached levels similar to those observed before the pandemic.

However, when looking at exports, the trajectory of the curve has been upwards, with a possible acceleration as of March this year. According to the executive, the reason for the increase in sales abroad is the adoption of an innovative, sustainable agenda that places exports as one of the sector’s priorities, even with the domestic market heated up by the pandemic.

“Brazil is already one of the main world players in the ceramic tile market, being the third-largest producer globally, the second-largest consumer market, and number six in the ranking of exports, with sales to more than 110 countries”, summarizes the executive.

The figures registered in April, which place the country as the fourth largest exporter of ceramic tiles during the month, mark a movement that began before the pandemic. “The industries in the sector have been investing in quality, design, and market intelligence and have the competence, technology, and expertise to leapfrog some positions and consolidate themselves as the world’s third-largest exporter,” says Alais.

To a large extent, what can be seen is the growth in markets where the Brazilian ceramic industry had little activity, such as Chile and Colombia. There has also been a consolidation in the American market, to which Brazil is already the sixth-largest exporter. “We have grown and will continue to grow in these and other markets, whether in South America, the Caribbean, or in Africa and the Arab countries, where we are working to open up new markets,” she added.

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