Based on data available to-date (and estimating fourth quarter domestic shipments), U.S. tile consumption for 2010 was 1.97 billion sq. ft. (+6.0% vs. 2009). This was the first year-over-year increase since 2006.
The following table shows U.S. tile shipments, imports, exports, and total consumption in thousands of sq. ft.
| Year | U.S. Shipments | Imports | Exports | Total Consumption | % Change in Consumption from Previous Year |
| 2010 | 617,631* | 1,394,779 | 42,044 | 1,970,366* | 6.0* |
| 2009 | 571,255 | 1,333,252 | 45,555 | 1,858,952 | -18.1 |
| 2008 | 634,374 | 1,685,532 | 50,512 | 2,269,394 | -15.2 |
| 2007 | 544,988 | 2,178,258 | 47,478 | 2,675,768 | -19.3 |
| 2006 | 629,672 | 2,732,199 | 45,107 | 3,316,764 | 1.8 |
*Note: Based on actual 1Q-3Q 2010 U.S. shipment data + an estimation of 4Q U.S. shipments.
Imports:
In 2010, 1.39 billion sq. ft. (129.6 million sq. m) of ceramic tile arrived in the U.S. This was a 4.6% increase from 2009, in which 1.33 billion sq. ft. (123.9 million sq. m) of ceramic tile were imported into the U.S. Although imports still comprise the majority of U.S. consumption, import penetration has fallen in each of the last four years and in 2010 was at 70.8% (using the aforementioned estimation of 4Q U.S. shipments), the lowest it has been since 1998.
Mexico remained the top exporter to the U.S. in 2010 (in sq. ft.) with a 27.8% share. China held the second position, making up 24.6% of imports, and Italy was in third place with a 17.9% share.
On a dollar basis, Italy continued to hold the top exporter position in 2010, making up 35.6% of U.S. imports. The next two highest shares belonged to China and Mexico, which had 20.3% and 16.7% of the $ value of U.S. imports, respectively.
The top five countries from which tile was imported in 2010 based on sq. ft. were:
| Country | Sq. Ft. 2010 | Sq. Ft. 2009 | 2010/2009 % Change | 2009/2008 % Change |
| Mexico | 387,678,293 | 374,298,957 | 3.6% | -10.8% |
| China | 343,091,529 | 292,339,691 | 17.4% | -5.5% |
| Italy | 250,092,602 | 234,771,586 | 6.5% | -39.2% |
| Brazil | 89,550,633 | 107,466,268 | -16.7% | -34.3% |
| Spain | 70,701,917 | 76,637,815 | -7.7% | -37.6% |
The top five countries from which tile was imported in 2010 based on total U.S. $ value (including duty, freight, and insurance) were:
| Country | $ Val 2010 | $ Val 2009 | 2010/2009 % Change | 2009/2008 % Change |
| Italy | 454,447,747 | 429,686,411 | 5.8% | -39.7% |
| China | 258,682,812 | 216,275,919 | 19.6% | -7.5% |
| Mexico | 213,044,823 | 205,035,537 | 3.9% | -24.4% |
| Spain | 98,410,437 | 103,952,505 | -5.3% | -37.6% |
| Brazil | 61,410,415 | 71,287,697 | -13.9% | -38.5% |
U.S. Shipments:
Domestic shipments were estimated to be 617.6 million sq. ft. in 2010, up 8.1% from 2009.
Exports:
U.S. exports in 2010 were at 42.0 million sq. ft., down 7.7% vs. 2009. The vast majority of these exports (in sq. ft.) were to Canada (55.3%) and Mexico (23.2%).
(Source: U.S. Commerce Dept.)
Outlook:
“Despite the difficulty of the past three years, our industry has a history of growth and success, and we fully expect that to continue, but at a lower level in the near future,” noted Eric Astrachan, executive director of Tile Council of North America. “Prior to 2007, U.S. tile consumption increased eleven years in a row. That is a very good track record and demonstrates consumer desire for the value, durability, and quality ceramic tile provides.”