More than 62 million square meters of tiles and ceramics worth over $169.7 million were exported during the first half of the current fiscal year (started March 20), according to the Ministry of Industries, Mining and Trade.
Iran’s ceramic and tile industry is hit by overcapacity due to the unrestrained issuance of factory construction permits during the 90s. About 130 tile manufacturing plants are currently operating at half their 700 million-square-meter production capacity, IRNA reported.
This is while domestic consumption has been seriously affected by a downturn in the housing sector over the past two years, which has led to a major decline in demand.
In turn, export markets have also been adversely affected by the regional crises and a sharp decline in oil prices.
Add new comment
Read our comment policy before posting your viewpoints