by Sara Seghedoni24   Maggio   2013

Country Report: Mexico

Cer il giornale della Ceramica n.338

With a 2012 output of 229 million square metres, Mexico ranks sixth amongst world ceramic tile producer countries after China, Brazil, Italy, Spain and Turkey. Some 161 million square metres of this output was sold on the domestic market while 68 million square metres was exported. The United States is Mexico’s biggest trading partner and is also the most important destination for its tile exports (59%). Mexico also imported a total of 25 million square metres of tiles in 2012, 7.6% up on 2011, with China as the main country of origin (8.3 million square metres).

Sergio Narváez, managing director of one of the leading ceramic companies operating in Mexico (Porcelanite – Lamosa) and Past President of TCNA - Mexico, noted that the ceramic industry grew by 6% in 2012. This trend, he explained, is a result of continuous improvements in both the country’s economy and in the performance of the construction sector, which has benefited from total investments of € 165.6 billion (including € 86.6 billion for the residential sector). He also noted that the Mexican government is working to combat the problem of fake porcelain tiles originating from the main exporting countries and the continuous increase in energy costs.
Mexico boasts a long tradition in pre-Hispanic, colonial and modern architecture, with many Mexican buildings listed as World Heritage by UNESCO, noted César Rodarte, President of the Institute of Architects based in Nuevo León. The Mexican government and the relevant associations are working to make the country’s cities more human-friendly. The Institute of Architects, in cooperation with the Monterrey Architecture Academy and the Monterrey Urban Society are working on proposals for shaping the city’s future.

Ceramic tile consumption totals 187 million square metres, corresponding to a per capita value of 1.5 square metres. More than 6% growth is anticipated over the next two years, further reflecting the dynamism of the Mexican ceramic tile market.
Gilberto Villarreal, president of Monterrey-based company Gilsa, one of the largest distributors in the sector with 7 showrooms and a total display area of more than 1,200 sq.m, noted that there has been growing interest in large sized tiles amongst Mexican consumers in recent years. The most popular size is 60x60 cm, followed by 60x120 cm, 50x100 cm and 100x100 cm. The general public makes up 50% of customers, architects and designers 20% and the remaining 30% builders. There is a trend in consumption towards unglazed porcelain, with surface effects created by digital decoration proving especially popular.
The Mexican ceramic market places great importance on tile installation certification, reflected in the fact that there are four training schools for tile fixers in the country – two in Mexico City, one in Monterrey and one in Guadalajara.

To view the entire Mexico Country Report, download the magazine issue on the free ' Ceramica ' App from iTunes.
You can also view and download Country Reports for the

- United States (Cer n.331)
- Germany (Cer n.332)
- Ukraine (Cer n.333)
-Turkey (Cer n.334)
- Brazil (Cer n.337)

published in various issues of CER il Giornale della ceramica.