Market evolution: Ceramic sanitary fixtures (CN 691090) — 2015–2025

Introduction

This report analyzes the trade dynamics of the European Union for ceramic sanitary fixtures (excluding porcelain or china) under Combined Nomenclature code 691090 from 2015 to 2025. The EU's external trade for this product category has undergone a profound structural transformation over the decade. What began as a balanced market with the EU as a net exporter has fundamentally shifted towards a position of significant import dependency. This evolution is driven by a divergence in the growth trajectories of imports and exports, alongside major changes in the EU's key trading partners and internal production landscape.

1. The Great Reversal: From a Net Exporter to a Dominant Importer

The most striking feature of the 2015-2025 period is the complete reversal of the EU's trade position for ceramic sanitary fixtures. The EU transitioned from a net exporter to a substantial net importer, fundamentally altering its role in the global market for these goods.

The collapse of export volumes and values

EU exports of CN 691090 fell dramatically over the period. Export volumes plummeted by 51.5%, from 54,001 tonnes in the first period to 26,174 tonnes in the last. This severe contraction was not fully offset by rising unit prices, leading to a 27.3% decline in export value, which fell from €210 million to €153 million.

The surge in imports

In stark contrast, EU imports surged. Import volumes grew by 78.6%, increasing from 131,302 tonnes to 234,527 tonnes. This growth in quantity, combined with a 21.2% rise in unit prices, resulted in a 116.4% increase in import value, which skyrocketed from €192 million to €415 million.

The swing in the trade balance

The combined effect of falling exports and booming imports was a massive deterioration of the trade balance. The EU moved from a modest surplus of €18.5 million in 2015 to a deficit of €262 million in 2025, a swing of over €280 million. This shift is quantified by the net import reliance, which moved from -29.5% (indicating net export reliance) to +30.0% (indicating net import reliance).

Table 1: EU Trade Summary for CN 691090 (2015 vs. 2025)

2. Shifting Geographies: The Rise of New Import Leaders and the Decline of Traditional Export Markets

The decade-long trend was not uniform across all partners. It was characterized by the rapid growth of specific import sources and the erosion of the EU's traditional export destinations, altering the concentration and risk profile of the market.

China and Türkiye solidified their dominance as import suppliers

China and Türkiye were the EU's largest suppliers throughout the period. China's export value to the EU grew by 172.2%, reaching €189 million. Türkiye's growth was more modest at 45.7%, but it remained a critical supplier at €117 million. The Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI) for import concentration by value remained high (around 3,000), indicating a market still concentrated on a few key suppliers, albeit with a slight decrease.

Emerging import partners show explosive growth

Several smaller suppliers experienced dramatic growth, signaling a diversification (or new concentration) in import sources. Notably, imports from Egypt (+240.4%) and India (+424.0%) grew at exceptionally high rates, though starting from a low base.

The UK and Russia emerged as high-volatility export markets

The EU's export landscape weakened, particularly in nearby markets. The United Kingdom, the EU's largest export destination in 2015, saw the value of its purchases crumble by 65.6%. Exports to the Russian Federation also fell sharply (-58.0%). Volatility analysis confirms that trade with the UK and Russia was highly unstable (coefficients of variation of 0.50 and 0.66, respectively). In contrast, exports to Switzerland proved remarkably stable (CV of 0.07) and even grew by 39.1%.

Table 2: Evolution of Top EU Trade Partners (2015-2025, Value € millions)

3. Domestic Contractions: Production Stagnation and Intra-EU Specialization

The external trade shift occurred against a backdrop of stagnating production within the EU and evolving internal specializations, which help explain the growing import gap.

EU production volumes stalled while values rose sharply

While production value nearly doubled (+96.9%), rising from €322 million to €635 million, production volumes stagnated and slightly declined (-6.0%, from 9.6 million to 9.0 million items). This indicates a significant increase in unit production values, likely due to inflationary pressures, a shift towards higher-end products, or a reduction in lower-margin items. The volume stagnation, however, left a growing portion of domestic demand to be met by imports.

Clear specialization divides persisted among EU members

The EU internal market remained highly specialized. In 2025, members like Portugal (RCA 4.79), Italy (RCA 2.81), and Poland (RCA 2.47) showed strong comparative advantages and specialization in exporting these fixtures. Conversely, countries like Ireland, Malta, and Luxembourg were highly unspecialized, acting primarily as consumers. This structure implies that the EU's export decline is concentrated in specific producer-member states (like Italy, whose exports fell 29.6%), while import growth is absorbed by the entire bloc.

The EU's vulnerability to external supply shocks increased

The combination of rising import reliance and the volatility observed with key suppliers points to increased vulnerability. Supply shocks were detected, such as a price shock for Ukrainian imports in 2022. Furthermore, the export propensity of the EU industry halved (from 47.6% to 23.9%), signaling a growing disconnect between the EU's production and its external competitive position.

Conclusion

The EU market for ceramic sanitary fixtures (CN 691090) has undergone a fundamental restructuring between 2015 and 2025. The overarching trend is a decisive shift from a net exporter to a significant net importer, driven by a severe contraction in export volumes combined with a powerful surge in imports, particularly from China and Türkiye. This external adjustment occurred while domestic production volumes stalled, albeit with rising values. The changing trade patterns have reshaped the market's geography, weakening ties with traditional export partners like the UK and Russia while deepening import dependencies. Collectively, these dynamics have increased the EU's external trade exposure and altered its strategic position in the global ceramic sanitary fixtures market.