This list reveals the top 10 ceramic products importers based on their percentage of global import purchases (shown within parenthesis). In 2015, world ceramic products imports totaled US$47.2 billion.
African Importers
Africa imported $3.9 billion worth of ceramic products led by the following countries:
1. Nigeria: $484.1 million
2. South Africa: $466.1 million
3. Algeria: $342.5 million
4. Ghana: $249.5 million
5. Angola: $238.5 million
6. Morocco: $223.5 million
7. Kenya: $215.2 million
8. Ethiopia: $197.9 million
9. Senegal: $159.1 million
10. Tanzania: $159.1 million
Asian Importers
Asia imported $10.8 billion worth of ceramic products led by the following countries:
1. Vietnam: $1.8 billion
2. South Korea: $1.5 billion
3. Japan: $1.2 billion
4. India: $797.1 million
5. Thailand: $720.7 million
6. China: $703.5 million
7. Taiwan: $576.5 million
8. Philippines: $411.9 million
9. Malaysia: $345.6 million
10. Singapore: $344.5 million
European Importers
Europe imported $15.9 billion worth of ceramic products led by the following countries:
1. Germany: $2.9 billion
2. United Kingdom: $2 billion
3. France: $1.9 billion
4. Belgium: $809.5 million
5. Russia: $785.1 million
6. Italy: $756.4 million
7. Netherlands: $673.2 million
8. Austria: $656.6 million
9. Switzerland: $557.1 million
10. Poland: $511.8 million
Latin American and Caribbean Importers
Latin America imported $2.4 billion worth of ceramic products led by the following countries:
1. Brazil: $361.8 million
2. Chile: $358.3 million
3. Colombia: $228.2 million
4. Peru: $220.8 million
5. Argentina: $151.7 million
6. Dominican Republic: $137.4 million
7. Venezuela: $101.9 million
8. Costa Rica: $97.6 million
9. Ecuador: $96.2 million
10. Panama: $88.8 million
Middle Eastern Importers
Middle East imported $4.5 billion worth of ceramic products led by the following countries:
1. United Arab Emirates: $1.2 billion
2. Saudi Arabia: $1.1 billion
3. Iran: $418.9 million
4. Israel: $371.8 million
5. Iraq: $275.2 million
6. Qatar: $242.6 million
7. Lebanon: $219.8 million
8. Jordan: $207.3 million
9. Kuwait: $164.1 million
10. Oman: $154.9 million
North American Importers
North America imported $8.3 billion worth of ceramic products led by the following countries:
1. United States: $6.4 billion
2. Canada: $1.1 billion
3. Mexico: $779 million
Oceanian Importers
Oceania imported $940.1 million worth of ceramic products led by the following countries:
1. Australia: $752.4 million
2. New Zealand: $127.3 million
3. New Caledonia: $18 million
4. Papua New Guinea: $17.9 million
5. Fiji: $9.7 million
6. French Polynesia: $4.7 million
7. Samoa: $2.5 million
8. Vanuatu: $2.1 million
9. Solomon Islands: $1.6 million
10. Tonga: $1.2 million
To see the 25 fastest-growing ceramic products importers from 2011 to 2015, use the slidebar on the accompanying list. Overall, the 5-year percentage gain for globally imported ceramic products was 7.3%.
Data source: Trade Map, International Trade Centre, www.intracen.org/marketanalysis
Top Imported Ceramics Countries
Most Valuable Ceramic Imports 2015
Research Note: Import numbers rarely match the source exporters’ stats. Reasons for import-export statistical discrepancies include re-exports, time lags, misallocations, distinct trade reporting systems, different quantity measurements and country confidentiality rules. Also, transportation and insurance costs are sometimes added to import totals.
