Russian Market of Ceramic Bricks. Development Trends and Prospects

Abstract

The article provides information about the state and main trends in the development of the Russian market of ceramic bricks. Data on the structure of construction of residential buildings based on the wall materials used are presented, and the regional structure of demand for ceramic bricks is estimated. The forecast of market development in 2021-2022 is presented. It is noted that from the end of 2018, the pace of housing construction in Russia increased significantly due to the transition from mid-2019 to financing through escrow accounts and the rejection of EPA (Equity Participation Agreement). The positive dynamics continued in 2019-2020, which was additionally associated with a reduction in the Central Bank’s key rate, the introduction of a preferential mortgage program in 2020, and the implementation of programs to support the construction complex in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, the production of ceramic bricks increased by more than 3% in 2019 and by about 2% in the first 9 months of 2020. At the same time, it was found that due to unfavorable market conjuncture, the number of ceramic plants operating in Russia has significantly decreased (from 557 in 2014 to 310 in 2019).