(Clemson, SC)— U.S. ceramic tile consumption in 2024 was 2.70 billion sq. ft., down 5.1% from the previous year.1
The following table shows U.S. tile shipments, imports, exports, and total consumption in thousands of sq. ft.
Imports2
U.S. ceramic tile imports were at 1.93 billion sq. ft. in 2024, a 3.5% decline from the prior year.
Imports comprised 71.5% of 2024 U.S. tile consumption by volume, up from 70.2% in 2023.
India was the largest exporter to the U.S. by volume for the second straight year with a 20.4% share of U.S. imports, followed by Spain (17.6%) and Italy (16.0%).
The five countries from which the most tiles were imported in 2024 based on volume were:
| Italy remained the largest exporter to the U.S. on a dollar basis (CIF + duty), comprising 29.2% of 2024 U.S. imports, followed by Spain with a 24.8% share and Mexico with an 11.2% share. The five countries from which the most tiles were imported in 2024 based on total U.S. $ value (CIF + duty) were: |
U.S. Shipments4
In 2024 U.S. manufacturers shipped 769.9 million sq. ft. of ceramic tile domestically, down 9.1% from the prior year and the lowest annual total since 2013.
U.S. shipments’ share of total U.S. consumption by volume last year was 28.5%, down from 29.8% in 2023. Even so, domestically produced tiles’ share of total U.S. consumption far outpaced the shares of any individual country exporting to the U.S. The next highest shares of total consumption by volume were held by India (14.6%), Spain (12.6%), and Italy (11.4%).
By value, U.S. FOB factory sales of domestic shipments (less exports) in 2024 were $1.37 billion, an 8.4% decrease from the previous year. U.S. shipments comprised 36.2% of total U.S. tile consumption by value, down from 36.9% in 2023.
The per unit value of domestic shipments (less exports) in 2024 was $1.79/sq. ft., up from $1.77/sq. ft. the preceding year.
U.S. Exports5
U.S. ceramic tile exports in 2024 were 41.1 million sq. ft., down 19.5% from the previous year. The vast majority of U.S. exports by volume went to our North American neighbors, Canada (78.1%) and Mexico (9.9%).
U.S. exports by value in 2024 were $46.4 million, down 13.0% from 2023.
1 U.S. Dept. of Commerce & Tile Council of North America
2 U.S. Dept. of Commerce
3 The average value is significantly affected by the mix of tiles imported, with different types of tiles impacting the average value, in addition to differences in pricing for the same types of tile.
4 Tile Council of North America
5 U.S. Dept. of Commerce
About Tile Council of North America (TCNA)
TCNA is a trade association representing manufacturers of ceramic tile, tile installation materials, tile equipment, raw materials and other tile-related products. Established in 1945 as the Tile Council of America (TCA), it became the Tile Council of North America (TCNA) in 2005, reflecting its membership expansion to all of North America.
The Tile Council is recognized for its leadership role in facilitating the development of North American and international industry quality standards to benefit tile consumers. Additionally, TCNA regularly conducts independent research and product testing, works with regulatory, trade, and other government agencies, and publishes installation guidelines, tile standards, economic reports, and promotional literature.
