Despite the numerous sanctions, Iran, located in west Asia, is one of the top ten producers and exporters of ceramic tiles in the world. In 2020, it exported beyond 170 million square meters tiles to many countries. On this account, learning about its market is very important and can be very useful for tile traders. This article will analyze Iran’s tile market from different aspects.
- Market Snapshot
The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on this cycle-sensitive industry, which is building. This directly affected the use of ceramic tile in building. The epidemic had a detrimental effect on Iran's ceramic tile demand and manufacturing. The market for ceramic tiles in Iran is expanding quickly as a result of rising construction activity and rising export revenues. Iran produced 265 million square meters of ceramic tiles in the eight months leading up to November 21, 2019, up 5.5% from the same time last year, according to figures released by the Ministry of Industries, Mining, and Trade. 
The sector has a production capacity of around 700 million square meters per year. Iran Tile and Ceramic Producers' Association statistics show that there are 147 ceramic tile factories in Iran, with an annual output of roughly 300-400 million square meters, despite the fact that the country's ceramic tile manufacturing sector does not currently face any significant raw material shortages. When local manufacturing was lower, one of the primary product categories, ceramic glaze, used to be heavily imported. About 60 to 70 percent of the price to produce ceramic tiles is the ceramic glaze. The country's ceramic tile market expanded steadily thanks to cheap and plentiful energy, raw materials, and resources as well as local know-how. Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Georgia, the United Arab Emirates, Tajikistan, Armenia, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan are among the nations where Iran ceramic tiles are popular.
- Report's Purpose
Sand, organic materials, and clay are the main ingredients in ceramic tiles, which are moulded into shape before being burnt in a kiln. In comparison to other flooring materials, ceramic tiles are affordable, long-lasting, and fire-, water-, moisture-, and temperature-resistant. 
The market for ceramic tiles in Iran is divided into segments by product (such as glazed, porcelain, scratch-free, and other products), application (such as floor tiles, wall tiles, and other applications), construction type (such as new construction, replacement, and renovation), and end user (Residential and Commercial).
- Critical Market Trends
- Building Activity is Growing, Driving the Market
The national housing initiative launched by the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development is expected to be the main driver of the ceramic tile market in Iran. In the next two years, 400,000 dwellings will be built, according to the plans. The government-sponsored program's registration process opened in the provinces of Qom, Hamedan, Sistan-Baluchestan, Ardabil, and Zanjan in November 2019. Between the end of 2019 and the beginning of 2020, development on almost 180,000 residential units has already started. Ceramic tile production is at its highest level in Yazd Province. 
According to the Ministry of Industry, Mines, and Trade, Iran produces 10,000 square meters of ceramic tiles each person. Iran aims to produce 25,000 square meters per worker in the next several years, matching some of the biggest producing nations like Spain and Italy. Yazd province, which has roughly 101 ceramic tile production units, leads the nation's production. Isfahan comes in second with 21 units, while Khorasan Razavi comes in third with 14. In order to accomplish its goal of closing the production unit gap between the Yazd province and the Isfahan region, the nation is concentrating on upgrading its current infrastructure.
- Competitive Environment
The market for ceramic tiles in Iran is moderately fragmented. The Iranian tile and ceramics sector is expanding in a balanced way to meet both domestic demand and potential export opportunities. The development of new technologies made it possible to use labor to increase the overall production capacity of mass-produced raw materials.
- New Development
The training course "Regulations of Trade Unions and Employers" was held on February 1st, 2022, at Setareh Meybod Tile and Ceramic Company in the presence of the general manager, managers, and experts of Employee and Employers Organizations of the Cooperative, Labor, and Social Welfare Department, as well as members of the Islamic Labor Councils and representatives of Meybod workers. 
RAK Ceramics will participate at Expo 2020 of Dubai on September 24, 2020, as a Supporter sponsor of the Italian pavilion. In fact, the Company and the Commissioner General's Office for Italy have signed a partnership agreement with the goal of advancing the innovation and sustainability initiatives that our nation is promoting through its participation in the Universal Expo, which is scheduled to take place from October 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022. Khvach and Ceramara Co. inked a cooperative agreement in 2020. The CEO of Ceramara, Mr. Asghar Ahaniha, and a Russian trading company exchanged signs (Khvach). As one of the pioneers in exporting ceramic tiles, both in quality and quantity, in the continent, we will feel great to cooperate with all professional traders from all over the world.