India ceramic tile exports rose 7.6 per cent year-on-year to 565 million square metres in calendar year 2025 (CY25), with export value reaching approximately €2 billion, according to Equirus Securities’ Global Tile Production & Consumption report.
However, expanding overseas manufacturing capacity, trade barriers and rising energy and freight costs are creating fresh challenges for Indian manufacturers. The report highlights the need for greater product differentiation and higher-value offerings as global tile demand shifts.
The export recovery came despite a broader contraction in the global market. Worldwide tile production declined 4 per cent year-on-year to 14.4 billion square metres in CY25, while consumption fell 2.2 per cent to 14.3 billion square metres. Global exports, however, increased 2.5 per cent to 2.7 billion square metres.
India maintains export growth amid global competition
India’s tile exports recorded a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5 per cent between CY20 and CY25, outperforming established exporting countries such as China, Spain and Italy, according to the report.
India remained the world’s largest exporter of porcelain tiles by volume, shipping approximately 442 million square metres. However, it ranked fourth by export value, at around €1.7 billion.
The gap between export volumes and value reflects the pricing challenge facing Indian manufacturers.
India’s average tile export price stood at approximately €3.6 per square metre in CY25. This compared with €16.5 for Italy, €10.3 for Spain and €5 for China.
Equirus said the difference highlights the opportunity for Indian producers to improve export realisation through better design, quality, product differentiation and premium offerings.
Overseas manufacturing expansion raises pressure
The expansion of manufacturing capacity outside traditional production centres is another challenge for Indian tile exporters, particularly manufacturers based in Morbi, Gujarat.
Africa’s tile production rose 26 per cent year-on-year to 1.3 billion square metres in CY25, while consumption increased 23.6 per cent to 1.5 billion square metres.
Chinese investment has supported manufacturing expansion across overseas markets, including Africa. Greater local production could gradually reduce these markets’ reliance on imported tiles.
The report estimates that Chinese-backed manufacturing facilities outside China have annual production capacity of around 1.6 billion square metres, with actual output of approximately 1.2 billion square metres.
For Indian exporters, this expansion could intensify competition in markets that have traditionally absorbed overseas shipments.
Energy costs and trade barriers threaten margins
Energy remains a major cost factor for tile manufacturers, accounting for more than 30 per cent of production expenses globally, according to the report.
The fuel-supply crisis during March and April 2026 forced more than 700 factories in Morbi to temporarily shut operations. Higher fuel costs also prompted price increases, adding pressure to manufacturers’ competitiveness.
Elevated energy and freight expenses, alongside trade restrictions and anti-dumping or countervailing duty investigations, could weigh on India’s export performance in FY27.
These pressures make cost management increasingly important for manufacturers competing in price-sensitive international markets.
Premium tiles offer a route to higher export realisation
The report identifies changing product preferences, including rising demand for large-format slabs and premium surface finishes, as an opportunity for Indian producers.
Moving beyond a predominantly volume-led, price-competitive model could help manufacturers improve export realisation and strengthen their position in international markets.
The longer-term global outlook offers some support. MECS forecasts cited by Equirus project global tile production to recover gradually from 14.1 billion square metres in 2026 to 14.8 billion square metres in 2030.
Africa, non-EU Europe and Latin America are expected to be among the stronger-performing regions.
For India’s ceramic tile industry, sustaining export growth will depend not only on shipment volumes but also on its ability to manage production costs, navigate trade barriers and capture demand for higher-value products.
