Product intelligence · HS 690210 · 2024 data

Refractory bricks, blocks, tiles and similar refractory ceramic constructional goods: containing by weight, singly or together, more than 50% of the elements Mg, Ca or Cr, expressed as MgO, CaO or Cr2o3

Global exports of refractory bricks, blocks, tiles and similar refractory ceramic constructional goods: containing by weight, singly or together, more than 50% of the elements mg, ca or cr, expressed as mgo, cao or cr2o3 totalled $1,675,202,594 in 2024, a -9.3% change from the previous year. Traded by 108 countries across 1,521 bilateral corridors, with demand from 175 importing markets. The long-term trend is stable.

Data: OECD BIMTS · Coverage: 19952024 · Updated: 2026-07-17

Global trade

$1.7B

-9.3% YoY

3Y / 5Y CAGR

-1.1%

5Y: -2.2%

Supply structure

Concentrated

HHI 0.274

Volatility

Low

Score 10/100

1.

Market movement

In 2024, refractory bricks, blocks, tiles and similar refractory ceramic constructional goods: containing by weight, singly or together, more than 50% of the elements mg, ca or cr, expressed as mgo, cao or cr2o3 trade exhibited significant decline, with global flows reaching $1,675,202,594 and a three-year compound annual growth rate of -1.1% (five-year: -2.2%). The all-time peak of $2,132,237,687 was recorded in 2018; the current level is 21% below that high-water mark.

Over the 30-year observation window (19952024), 52% of years recorded positive growth, indicating a mildly upward trajectory with periodic contractions. Trend momentum is steady (-0.4% acceleration).

The World Trade Flows Characterization classifies refractory bricks, blocks, tiles and similar refractory ceramic constructional goods: containing by weight, singly or together, more than 50% of the elements mg, ca or cr, expressed as mgo, cao or cr2o3 as "One-way trade" in the medium price range price segment, providing additional context for market positioning and competitive dynamics.

2.

Supply & demand structure

The supply side is concentrated (Herfindahl-Hirschman Index 0.274). The three largest exporters — China ($825.1M), Germany ($202.6M), and Austria ($201.3M) — collectively dominate supply flows. The leading exporter has grown at +0.9% over the last three years.

On the demand side, importer concentration is diversified (HHI 0.032). The three largest import markets are Indonesia ($134.7M), India ($111.7M), and United States ($105.8M). The largest importing market sources from 17 different supplying countries.

Estimated substitution elasticity: -6.83. Buyers are highly price-sensitive and can switch between suppliers relatively easily.

The dominant trade corridor is China → Indonesia at $118.2M, representing 87.7% of the importer's total demand.

3.

Risk profile & trade outlook

The volatility score for refractory bricks, blocks, tiles and similar refractory ceramic constructional goods: containing by weight, singly or together, more than 50% of the elements mg, ca or cr, expressed as mgo, cao or cr2o3 is 10 out of 100, classified as low. Trade flows are relatively stable compared to other HS6 products, suggesting mature supply chains and predictable demand.

For market entrants, contracting demand signals caution before committing resources. The concentrated supply structure suggests high barriers but also potential opportunity if dominant suppliers face disruption or capacity constraints.

Data confidence is rated "High" based on reporting coverage and consistency across OECD member and partner countries.

Historical evidence

Annual trade value 19952024

Peak: $2,132,237,687 in 2018. Currently 21% below peak.

YearGlobal trade (USD)YoY growth
2015$1,446,726,046-19.7%
2016$1,296,795,137-10.4%
2017$1,512,864,096+16.7%
2018$2,132,237,687+40.9%
2019$1,870,017,030-12.3%
2020$1,417,651,938-24.2%
2021$1,733,953,074+22.3%
2022$2,122,827,334+22.4%
2023$1,847,308,886-13.0%
2024$1,675,202,594-9.3%

Top exporting countries

Ranked by export value of refractory bricks, blocks, tiles and similar refractory ceramic constructional goods: containing by weight, singly or together, more than 50% of the elements mg, ca or cr, expressed as mgo, cao or cr2o3 in 2024.

View all 108 exporters →

Top importing markets

Largest import destinations for refractory bricks, blocks, tiles and similar refractory ceramic constructional goods: containing by weight, singly or together, more than 50% of the elements mg, ca or cr, expressed as mgo, cao or cr2o3.

View all 175 markets →

Leading trade corridors

Largest bilateral export flows for refractory bricks, blocks, tiles and similar refractory ceramic constructional goods: containing by weight, singly or together, more than 50% of the elements mg, ca or cr, expressed as mgo, cao or cr2o3, ranked by value. Click any country to view its full profile.

#ExporterImporterValue 20243Y CAGR
1ChinaIndonesia$118.2M+3.2%
2ChinaIndia$82.0M+10.6%
3ChinaRussia$72.6M+62.8%
4ChinaJapan$68.4M-8.8%
5ChinaSouth Korea$61.9M-11.7%
6ChinaVietnam$38.3M-10.5%
7ChinaMalaysia$30.2M+14.2%
8ChinaMexico$25.7M-5.5%

Showing top 8 of 10 corridors with available data for 2024.

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Sources, definitions & methodology

Data source

OECD Bilateral International Merchandise Trade Statistics (BIMTS). Aggregated from 312M+ reported trade records across 200+ countries and 5,300+ HS6 product codes. Coverage: 19952024.

Key indicators

HHI (Herfindahl-Hirschman Index): market concentration, 0 = fully diversified, 1 = single player. CAGR: compound annual growth rate over a stated period. Volatility score: trade value variability, 0–100 scale.

How this page is made

All statistical content on this page is data-driven, composed programmatically from live OECD trade records. No generic AI-generated prose is used. Analytical paragraphs combine real data points with factual interpretation. This page was last refreshed on 2026-07-17.