The ceramics industry covers five subsectors: structural ceramics, flooring and wall tiles, sanitary-ware, utilitarian and decorative ceramics, flame-resistant and special ceramics. Each with their own specific characteristics, what these subsectors have in common is the raw materials they use.

Structural ceramics include roof tiles, bricks and small arches, produced by some 150 companies located all over the country, but more especially in the districts of Aveiro, Leiria and Lisbon. As a whole, this subsector employs 4,750 workers, accounting for a sales turnover, in 2002, of € 275 million. Given the nature of the products, with regard to the effect their costs on transportation represents, external trade has little impact on the national ceramics industry.
In 2002, total exports of structural ceramics accounted for some € 0.90 million, with their main markets of destination being Angola, Cape Verde and Guinea-Bissau.

The national output of flooring and wall tiles comes from 40 companies employing 4,700 workers, located primarily in the districts of Aveiro and Coimbra. In 2002, the flooring and wall tiles subsector contributed to the national economy with an annual sales volume reaching some € 374.86 million.
In terms of external trade, in 2002, our exports climbed to € 123.76 million, corresponding to 22.4 million m2. The main markets for these products are France, Spain and UK.

Sanitary-ware ceramics are produced by eight companies, located in the districts of Aveiro, Coimbra, Oporto, Leiria, Lisbon and Viseu, and employing 3,300 workers. This subsector’s production corresponded to a sales volume of over € 136 million in 2002.
In 2002, exports of sanitary-ware ceramics reached some € 84.27 million, with their main markets of destination being Spain, Germany and France.
On a European level, the main producers of ceramic bathroom sanitary-ware are Italy, Turkey and Spain. Portugal ranks as the 4th major producer, with a 13.4% share of production.

The utilitarian and decorative ceramics subsector includes chinaware produced in porcelain, faience, sandstone and terracotta. Some 540 companies employing approximately 16,500 workers, accounting for a gross output value in the order of € 380 million, operate in this subsector.

In terms of external trade, in 2002, our exports climbed to € 236.33 million. The main markets for these products are the US, France, UK, Germany and Spain.

Six companies operate in the flame-resistant and special ceramics subsector, employing less than 450 workers, with approximately € 20 million in sales. These companies mainly produce flame-resistant thermals and electrical insulation.

Looking at 2002’s figures, the ceramics industry sector, en bloc, accounted for a gross output that reached € 1,185,860,000 in line with the contribution of various subsectors.
Of the gross output figure obtained, some € 458.21 million, or in other words, some 38.6%, was earmarked for export. Considering the specific characteristics of the various products, the respective subsectors’ contribution to the value of exports naturally varied.
As to imports, they amounted to € 178.83 million. Of that figure, some 55.8% is accounted for by the purchase of ceramic flooring and wall tiles from abroad, mostly coming from Spain.
It is, therefore, a sector that, aside from providing over 29,700 people with jobs, accounts for 2.1% of total national exports, 0.92% of GDP, and 3% of the manufacturing industry’s GVA, while contributing favorably to the balance of trade with a positive external trade balance in the region of € 279.38 million.