Red Ceramics In Spain - Export Markets The Key

Red ceramics are the most important part of the $5,100m Spanish ceramic sector both in terms of volume and value. After a record 1995, in terms of production and exports, the tile business was flat during 1996. Although considerable growth is expected in 1997 due to an expanding economy expected to grow 3% during 1997, long term estimates forsee a fall in the domestic consumption due to the low Spanish birth rate (Spain has one of the world's lowest birth rates, suggesting that in 2005 it will have a reduction of about 40% of the population aged between 25-35 years). The overcapacity will produce increasing domestic competition and the need to improve designa nd quality to expand Spain's international market share.