The Potential of the Indian Tile Industry: A Data-Driven Growth Story
1. Introduction: India’s Meteoric Rise in the Global Tile Arena
The global ceramic and porcelain tile industry was estimated at USD 251 billion in 2023, with projections to grow to USD 333 billion by 2032 Wikipedia. Tapping into this momentum, India has emerged as the world’s second-largest tile exporter, driven by production capacity, technological adoption, and international reach.
Fact Highlights:
- 2023–2024 exports reached an unprecedented 589.5 million sqm, a 39.6% year-on-year surge, generating €2.25 billion in revenue .
- Tile exports fell slightly to 525.3 million sqm in 2024, resulting in revenues of approximately €2 billion
- India exports to 135–200 countries, with top markets including the UAE, USA, Russia, Mexico, and Iraq
2. Production Powerhouse: Beyond the Numbers
Domestic Strength:
- India is the second-largest tile producer globally, boasting a production capacity of ~2,550 million sqm and domestic consumption of ~2,069 million sqm as of 2021
- The Morbi cluster in Gujarat, known as the “Ceramics Capital of India”, houses hundreds of tile factories driving much of India’s export activity
- Top industry players include Kajaria, Somany, Orient Bell, and numerous export-focused firms
Notable Export Data:
- Porcelain tile exports of tiles dominate, comprising 72% of total exports in 2023, rising to over 75% in 2024
- In 2023, porcelain exports totaled 423 million sqm, generating €1.82 billion—nearly 80% of export revenue
3. Export Trends: Markets, Prices & Growth Dynamics
Top Destination Trends:
- UAE surged to become India’s #2 export market in 2023, surpassing others .
- In 2024, UAE led in volume with 36.8 million sqm (+7.8%), followed by the USA (34.3 million sqm, -7.1%)
- Latin America was the only region with export growth in 2024, up 14% to 39.4 million sqm .
Price Dynamics:
- Average export price stabilized at €3.8/sqm during 2023–2024 Ceramic World Web+1.
- Regional variations: as low as €2.8/sqm in Africa to as high as €5.4/sqm in non-EU Europe Ceramic World Web.
4. Industry Drivers & Strengths
Cost-Effectiveness & Infrastructure:
- Low raw material and labor costs combined with economies of scale give India a pricing advantage.
- Geographic proximity of Morbi to ports like Mundra and Kandla accelerates exports.
Demand & Diversification:
- Indian tiles serve both value-conscious and premium segments, fueled by trends for porcelain slabs, digital printing, and eco-conscious tiles .
- Export volumes to North America soared by 93.5% and to Europe by 75% between 2014 and 2023—with overall CAGR of 21.5% volume, 24% revenue .
5. Challenges & Areas for Growth
- 2024 slowdown: Exports dipped ~10% in volume and ~11% in value after record-breaking growth Ceramic World Web.
- Global competition: Competing against China, Spain, Italy, and Turkey on branding and innovation.
- Quality and sustainability pressure: Western markets demand eco-certified products and higher quality standards.
6. The Road Ahead: Sustainability, Innovation & Market Expansion
Sustainability & Technology:
- Global tile production uses 2–3% of industrial water; over 60% of producers are adopting green practices. Use of VOC-free glazes and water-saving processes is growing .
- Porcelain market projected to climb at CAGR 8%, reaching USD 55 billion by 2026 .
- Digital printing uptake increased 25–35% globally in recent years.
Market Expansion:
- With over 200 countries served in 2024–25 gujarattilesinfo.com, Indian tile exporters are well-positioned to expand reach further.
- By 2025, forecasts suggest exports could exceed 650 million sqm, driven by demand from USA, Mexico, Russia, Israel, and continued porcelain growth LinkedIn.
7. Conclusion: India’s Tile Industry — A Global Partner
India’s tile industry stands at the intersection of scale, diversity, and innovation. With over 590 million sqm exported, a well-integrated production cluster in Morbi, and a growing emphasis on premium porcelain, design tech, and sustainability, India is ready to command a leading role globally—even entering the luxury tile domain.
At Italio Granito, we harness these strengths—combining global standards, eco-conscious practices, and design-forward offerings—to provide world-class tile solutions with unmatched value.
