Global Renovation Season Heats Up, Tile Exports See “Mini Spring”

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As the autumn renovation rush kicks in across the Northern Hemisphere, September customs figures show tile export volumes up 12 % month-on-month, driven by large-format slabs and soft-matte rustic tiles. Analysts cite four converging factors: freight rates have fallen for four straight weeks, overseas inventories are at multi-year lows, new housing starts in Europe and the US are rebounding, and the upcoming year-end retail restock is amplifying demand. Notably, 600 × 1200 mm and 750 × 1500 mm sizes have seen inquiries jump 30 % year-on-year, while warm grey, cream white and earth brown palettes dominate the popularity charts. On the logistics front, new weekly express services have cut sailing times from South China to Mediterranean and Australian ports to just 12–15 days, and cross-border payment platforms now offer locked FX rates plus open-account terms to ease cash-flow pressure on mid-size buyers. Industry forecasts suggest October tile export prices will remain stable, with mixed small-batch and customized pattern orders expected to climb further, opening a fresh growth window for suppliers worldwide.