Market evolution: Glass building articles (CN 7016) — 2015–2025

Introduction

The EU trade landscape for glass building articles (CN 7016) underwent a significant transformation between 2015 and 2025. The period was characterised by a robust strengthening of the EU's net export position, driven primarily by surging export values and a contraction in import volumes and values. This shift points towards an evolving market structure, with changing production patterns, partner dynamics, and product specialisation shaping the trade flows for these construction and decorative glass products.

1. The EU Emerges as a Strengthening Net Exporter

The most significant trend over the decade is the EU's transition to a much stronger net exporter of glass building articles. The trade balance in value terms more than doubled, growing from a surplus of €79.5 million in 2015 to €148.7 million in 2025 (+86.9%).

Export value grew substantially despite falling volumes

While the volume of EU exports decreased by 21.1% from 79,787 tonnes to 62,963 tonnes, their value increased by 27.7%, rising from €146.6 million to €187.2 million. This divergence is explained by a sharp 61.8% increase in the average export price, from €1,838 to €2,973 per tonne. This indicates a shift in the EU's export basket towards higher-value products.

The United Kingdom and Switzerland became pivotal export markets

The growth was not evenly distributed across partners. The United Kingdom and Switzerland emerged as the EU's most dynamic export markets for these products. Exports to the UK surged by 190.5%, rising from €11.6 million to €33.7 million. Similarly, exports to Switzerland more than doubled, increasing by 120.9% to €31.8 million. In contrast, exports to the United States grew more modestly (+34.5%), while exports to Algeria (-67.8%) and Russia (-53.0%) saw significant declines.

2. A Sustained Contraction of Imports, Particularly from China

Parallel to the export growth, the EU experienced a marked decline in imports of glass building articles, reducing its external dependence.

Import value and volume fell sharply

The total value of EU imports dropped by 42.5%, falling from €67.1 million in 2015 to €38.6 million in 2025. Import volumes also decreased by 23.5%. This trend, combined with rising export values, fundamentally improved the EU's net trade position.

China's dominance in EU imports has waned dramatically

The decline in imports was overwhelmingly driven by a collapse in trade with China. Imports from China fell by 71.1%, from €48.8 million in 2015 to €14.1 million in 2025. This made China the EU's largest source of import decline over the period. The concentration of EU imports (measured by the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index) fell by 63.1%, indicating a diversification away from dominant suppliers.

New suppliers gained share, but from a low base

While China retreated, some other partners saw significant growth. Imports from Switzerland increased by 287.5% to €7.5 million, and those from Norway grew exponentially from a small base. However, these gains were insufficient to offset the substantial decline from China, which remained the largest single source of imports in 2025.

3. Domestic Production Decline and Diverging Product Segments

Underlying the trade dynamics was a notable contraction in EU production, alongside a clear divergence in the performance of the two main product sub-segments.

EU production volumes and values contracted

EU domestic production of goods under CN 7016 declined significantly over the decade. Production volume fell by 37.7%, from 377 million kg in 2015 to 235 million kg in 2025. Production value decreased by 17.1%. This suggests structural shifts within the EU's manufacturing base for these glass articles.

The two product sub-segments showed contrasting trade trajectories

The data reveals a stark divergence between the two sub-products:

1. CN 701690 (Paving blocks, slabs, etc.): This segment, primarily used in construction, saw its EU import value grow from €10.7 million to €21.7 million. Its export value also grew strongly from €73.5 million to €109.1 million, with prices nearly doubling.

2. CN 701610 (Glass cubes for mosaics, etc.): This decorative segment experienced a persistent decline in import demand. Its import value plummeted by 70.0%, from €56.4 million to €16.9 million, despite rising prices. Export values for this segment remained relatively stable.

Czechia and Belgium emerged as the most specialised EU exporters

In 2025, Czechia and Belgium exhibited the highest revealed comparative advantage (RCA) for CN 7016 exports among EU members, with RCA indices of 6.02 and 3.97, respectively. This indicates these countries have developed a strong competitive specialisation in these glass articles. In contrast, countries like Ireland and Croatia showed virtually no export specialisation in this product category.

Conclusion

The period 2015–2025 was defined by a structural rebalancing of the EU's trade in glass building articles. The EU significantly strengthened its position as a net exporter, achieving a larger trade surplus through higher-value shipments, particularly to neighbouring markets like the UK and Switzerland. This occurred alongside a dramatic reduction in imports from China, which lost its overwhelming dominance in the EU import market. However, these trade shifts are set against a backdrop of declining domestic production volumes, suggesting possible efficiency gains or a shift in the EU's industrial focus. The diverging fortunes of the construction-related (701690) and decorative (701610) segments further highlight the market's complexity, with the former driving import growth and the latter seeing a steep contraction. Overall, the EU market for these products has become more outward-oriented, less reliant on a single import source, and characterised by growing price premiums on its exports.