CERAMIC TILE IMPORTS 2022

by 3.8 per cent, less than the national average fall. The average customs value of Indian tiles rose from AUD7.62 in 2021 to AUD10.05 in 2022.

The volume of tiles imported from Malaysia continued to fall, reducing by 45.5 per cent to 818,311 square metres in 2022. The average Australian customs value per square metre from Malaysia was AUD8.44, up from AUD7.20 in 2021.

A breakdown of ceramic tile imports to Australia by type indicates that 63 per cent of all tiles imported were effectively porcelain with a water absorption coefficient by weight of less than 0.5 per cent. A further 16.8 per cent had a water absorption coefficient between 0.5 and 10 per cent whilst another 16.8 per cent had a water absorption of over 10 per cent. Mosaics and finishing pieces made up the balance of 3.4 per cent of ceramic tiles imported.

Fig.4 illustrates the declared destination states’ imports per quarter over previous five years. In 2022, imports to New South Wales rose by 1.3 per cent and made up 39.4 per cent of all ceramic tiles imported. Imports to Victoria made up 26 per cent of the national total but fell by 8.9 per cent or 1 million square metres in 2022.

Imports to Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia fell by 6.1, 10.9 and 15 per cent respectively. Tasmania fell by 30.7 per cent while imports to the Northern Territory increased by five per cent. n

Peter Halliday has a long involvement in the design, manufacture, import, sale and distribution of ceramic tile, natural stone, and glass mosaics. He continues to research and write on industry related topics.