Sanitary Ware Imports Up 29% Amid Tirana Coastal Construction Boom

Imports

ALBANIA: Between January and April 2025, imports of ceramic products reached over 102 million kilograms, levels not seen since the early 2000s, when the country first experienced a major construction boom.

This marks the highest volume recorded during this four-month period in nearly 16 years, significantly surpassing figures from previous years. According to INSTAT data, imports of ceramic goods rose by 29% compared to the same period in the previous year. When compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019, imports surged by 92%. Although the sector experienced a dip in 2020 due to COVID-19, import volumes steadily recovered, ranging between 76 and 79 million kilograms from 2021 to 2024.

Industry representatives attribute this sharp rise in ceramic imports to the intensification of construction activity nationwide, which has driven strong demand for building materials, particularly ceramic tiles and plumbing fixtures.

India and Spain led the import sources during the January–April 2025 period, contributing 23% and 22% of total imports respectively. Turkey followed with 13%, Serbia with 12%, and Italy with 10% of the total volume.

According to a sanitary ware distributor, the spike in imports is closely tied to a surge in construction projects in southern parts of the country, particularly tourist developments such as resorts, residential complexes, and hotels, as well as ongoing urban expansion in the capital.

Meanwhile, household consumer demand for plumbing products has continued to decline since the pandemic, largely due to the emigration of young families.

Although large-scale tourism projects and urban development in Tirana continue to sustain ceramic demand, industry stakeholders express concern over the long-term outlook. Many anticipate a downturn in family housing demand, driven by emigration and high property prices, a trend they expect will eventually impact the broader ceramic and sanitary ware market.

Source: Monitor Magazine