Top Countries Importing Tiles from India (2026)
Which Countries Are Importing Tiles From India? A 2026 Global Guide
India’s tile industry has transformed from a regional supplier into a global powerhouse in just over a decade. Ten years ago, Italy and Spain dominated world tile exports. Today, India exported 589.5 million square meters of ceramic tiles in 2023, its record year, with volumes at 525.3 million square meters in 2024. to buyers across six continents. If you’re an importer, designer, or construction firm deciding where to source tiles, you need to know who is already buying from India – and why they keep coming back.
The numbers are hard to argue with. India’s cumulative tile export benchmark reached ₹23,216 crore (US $2.64 billion), though FY2024-25 revenues were ₹17,286.87 crore after a market correction, shipments reaching 135 countries in 2024, with India having served as many as 187 markets at its peak in 2023 in a single year. And this isn’t just volume. Buyers in Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, and Africa are choosing Indian tiles for floors, walls, outdoor spaces, and large-format slabs – across every price tier. Let’s break it all down, country by country.
Why Does the World Buy Tiles from India?
Indian tiles offer a rare combination: the quality of European tiles, the scale of Chinese production, and prices that make both look expensive by comparison. Indian porcelain tiles are priced between $15 and $20 per square meter, while Italian tiles cost $30 to $35 and Spanish tiles run $25 to $30. For bulk buyers and developers, that gap adds up to serious savings on every shipment.
Beyond price, India’s production base is enormous, making it a key player in the global market for tile manufacturers. Morbi, Gujarat, home to over 1,500 tile factories, produces roughly 80 to 90% of India’s total ceramic output. The city sits close to major ports like Mundra and Kandla, which keeps shipping times and freight costs competitive for buyers in Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas.
India also offers more design variety than most buyers expect. Over 1,000 distinct design variations are available – from glossy and matte finishes to linen, carving, terrazzo, wood-look, and large-format slab formats. That range makes India a one-stop source for both commercial and residential projects, particularly in the global market for floor tiles. You can compare how Indian tiles stack up against other countries on our website for a full quality and style breakdown.
Which Countries Import the Most Tiles from India?
The top 11 importing countries for Indian tiles in 2024-25 are Russia, the USA, UAE, UK, Iraq, Israel, Poland, Vietnam, Mexico, Thailand, and Oman. Together, these markets drive the majority of India’s total tile export revenue of US $2.64 billion, showcasing the strength of India’s export from India.
Here is the full ranking with export values:
Rank 1 – Russia – ₹1,280.58 Cr
Rank 2 – USA – ₹1,194.39 Cr
Rank 3 – UAE – ₹975.11 Cr
Rank 4 – UK – ₹805.90 Cr in tile import data highlights its importance in the global market.
Rank 5 – Iraq – ₹709.37 Cr
Rank 6 – Israel – ₹687.63 Cr
Rank 7 – Poland – ₹558.89 Cr
Rank 8 – Vietnam – ₹545.04 Cr
Rank 9 – Mexico – ₹544.78 Cr
Rank 10 – Thailand – ₹503.63 Cr
Rank 11 – Oman – ₹462.45 Cr
Russia became the number one buyer in 2024-25, jumping from third place the year before. The USA held strong in second despite a slight decline from its earlier peak. The UAE maintained its position as India’s most consistent Middle Eastern buyer. This list changes every year, and the trend is always in one direction: more countries, higher volumes.
Middle East: India’s Most Loyal Tile Market
The Middle East has been buying Indian tiles longer than almost any other region. UAE, Iraq, and Oman all rank in the top 11 import markets. Saudi Arabia, while not in the current top 12, was historically one of India’s top five destinations for years. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries once made up 35 to 40% of India’s total tile exports, and they remain a cornerstone of India’s export business.
Construction in the Gulf doesn’t slow down. Hotels, malls, airports, housing developments, and infrastructure projects run year-round, and all of them need tiles in large volumes. India’s production scale and port proximity make it the natural supplier for this non-stop demand in the global market.
Israel is a standout case in this region. Despite regional conflict, Israel saw a 146% spike in tile imports from India, driven by a housing boom and urgent construction timelines. Our post on changes in global tile imports explores exactly how geopolitical shifts affect which countries buy more and which buy less.
How Fast Are Europe and the Americas Growing?
Europe and the Americas are now the fastest-growing regions for Indian tile imports, with growth rates that outpace even the traditional Middle Eastern markets. The EU as a whole recorded a 75% increase in Indian tile import volumes in 2023, taking in over 60 million square meters. The UK alone imported ₹805.90 crore worth of Indian tiles in 2024-25, making it the fourth largest buyer worldwide.
Poland is the standout European success story for importing ceramic tiles from India. It jumped from 12th to 7th place in one year, importing ₹558.89 crore worth of tiles, as shown in the latest import data. France, Germany, and the Netherlands are also increasing their Indian tile purchases steadily. Ongoing EU-India trade discussions could further reduce barriers and push European import volumes even higher.
In the Americas, Mexico surged by 128% year over year to become the 9th largest buyer. Latin America posted 14% volume growth in 2024, one of the few bright spots as most other regions saw declines, making Latin America one of the fastest-rising regions for Indian exports. For buyers in the USA, our full analysis of US tariffs on Indian tile exports explains how current trade policy affects your import costs.
Africa and Southeast Asia: The Next Big Wave
Africa and Southeast Asia are still emerging markets for Indian tiles, but their growth numbers are among the most exciting in the industry. Africa recorded a 68.8% jump in Indian tile import volumes, with South Africa growing by 123% to become one of India’s leading tile buyers on the continent for ceramic tiles from India. Kenya and Ethiopia are also building consistent import relationships, fuelled by rapid urbanisation and new construction spending.
In Southeast Asia, Vietnam and Thailand both sit firmly in the top 10. Vietnam imported ₹545.04 crore in 2024-25, up sharply from ₹398.87 crore the year before. Bangladesh posts steady 20% year-over-year growth, driven by large-scale housing and infrastructure projects. These markets are buying for both domestic use and downstream supply chains, reflecting the demand for ceramic tiles from India.
Morbi alone exported tiles to 163 countries in 2023. That reach is only widening, and Africa and Southeast Asia are where India’s next chapter is being written fastest.
What Makes Indian Porcelain Tiles Worth Importing?
Indian porcelain tiles give global buyers a quality product at a price point no other major exporter can match, backed by a supply chain built for high-volume, long-distance trade.
India’s ceramic tile exports grew at a India’s tile export revenue grew at a CAGR of approximately 21.7%, while export volumes grew even faster, from 55 million sq m in 2013 to 589.5 million sq m in 2023., overtaking Italy and Spain in both volume and market share. That’s consistent compounding growth over more than a decade, not a one-year spike. Porcelain tiles now make up 72% of all Indian tile exports, which reflects what global buyers actually want: harder, denser, and more durable surfaces for floors, walls, and outdoor spaces.
On technical specs, Indian porcelain meets ISO breaking strength standards of 400 to 500 N/cm², matching Italian and Spanish equivalents. You’re not compromising on durability when you import from India. You’re simply paying less for the same result. Read more about the quality standards behind our porcelain tiles on our website to see what goes into every batch we produce, including our vitrified tiles.
Why Choose Tree Tile as your preferred tile manufacturer?
At Tree Tile, we supply porcelain tiles to buyers across the world’s top import markets – from the UK and UAE to Southeast Asia and beyond. If you’re ready to source tiles from India, our step-by-step guide for global buyers walks you through everything from placing an inquiry to receiving your container.
India is no longer a secondary choice for tile buyers. It’s the first call for importers in Russia, the USA, the UAE, Europe, and increasingly Africa and Southeast Asia. The data is clear: the world is buying tiles from India, and that trend is gaining speed every year.
Whether you’re already importing or exploring India for the first time, Tree Tile is ready to be your most reliable tile partner. Contact us today to request your catalogue and get a quote tailored to your market.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country imports the most tiles from India?
Russia is the top importing country for Indian tiles in 2024-25, with imports worth ₹1,280.58 crore, followed closely by the USA at ₹1,194.39 crore. Russia jumped from third place the previous year due to a sharp rise in construction activity and a shift in its import trade routes.
How many countries import tiles from India?
India currently exports tiles to between 187 and 200 countries, making it one of the most globally distributed tile suppliers in the world. This expansion happened alongside a compound annual growth rate of 21.7% from 2013 to 2024, reflecting growing trust in Indian tile quality and supply reliability.
Why do countries prefer Indian tiles over Chinese or Italian tiles?
Indian porcelain tiles are priced between $15 and $20 per square meter, compared to $30 to $35 for Italian tiles and $25 to $30 for Spanish tiles. At the same time, Indian tiles meet ISO breaking strength standards of 400 to 500 N/cm², matching the durability of higher-priced competitors. That value combination is why buyers in over 187 countries keep choosing India.
Which regions are growing fastest in Indian tile imports?
Europe and the Americas showed the highest percentage growth in Indian tile imports in recent years. The EU recorded 75% volume growth, Latin America crossed 200% volume growth, and within specific countries, Israel led at 146%, followed by South Africa at 123% and Mexico at 128%.
What types of tiles, including wall tiles and floor tiles, does India export the most?
Porcelain tiles make up 72% of all Indian ceramic tile exports, emphasizing their quality in the global market. India exported 423 million square meters of porcelain tiles in 2023-24 alone. Large-format sizes like 600x1200mm, 800x1600mm, and full-body slab tiles are among the most in-demand formats for international buyers.
