The latest figures quoted by Ceramic World Web confirm a downturn in the Italian ceramic tile industry last year following five years of growth.
The 137 companies which comprise the Italian tile industry collectively reported a 1.6% year-on-year decline in output to 415 million square metres (a fall of 7 million square metres), while total sales dropped by 2.8% to 410.1 million square metres and total sales revenue fell by 3% to 5.4 billion euros.
Exports suffered from weakening demand, and fell by 3% in terms of volumes (from 338 to 327.7 million square metres) and 3.3% in value (to 4.547 billion euros). Higher production costs and no increase in selling prices were cited as the reasons.
Meanwhile domestic sales also fell 1.6% to 82.4 million square metres, generating revenues of 834 million euros.
