Morbi's Ceramic Exports Face Turbulence as US Considers Anti-Dumping Duties

India: Morbi, known as India's ceramics manufacturing hub, is facing potential setbacks in its export business as the United States considers imposing anti-dumping duties on ceramic tile imports from India. This development has already caused significant disruptions, with manufacturers reporting that at least 25% of orders from the US have been halted, and more cancellations are expected.

This comes at a challenging time for Morbi's ceramic industry, which is already experiencing sluggish demand due to a duty hike by Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations and an economic slowdown in Europe, two major export markets. Recently, US tile makers filed a petition for anti-dumping duties on ceramic tile imports from India, raising concerns among US companies about possible retroactive import levies. The US accounts for 8-9% of Morbi's total ceramic tile and product exports, with an estimated 800 containers shipped to the US every month.

Morbi, home to approximately 800 ceramic tile manufacturing units, exports products worth Rs 19,000 crore (approximately USD 2.3 billion) annually to over 180 countries, including the US, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iraq, Israel, Taiwan, and various European nations.

Source: MENAFN