Menu

News

A 2025 Guide for Global Buyers: Sourcing Ceramic Tiles from Morbi, India

As global supply chains evolve, savvy importers are shifting focus to Morbi, India—the world’s second-largest ceramic tile hub—as a cost-effective, high-quality alternative to traditional sourcing destinations like China. With 80% of India’s ceramic production and exports to 163 countries in 2024, Morbi is rapidly becoming a global benchmark for tiles. This guide unpacks why Morbi is a strategic choice for importers in 2025 and how to navigate its thriving industry.

Why Source Tiles from Morbi in 2025?

1. Unmatched Scale and Capacity

Morbi’s 1,000+ factories produce 4 million square meters of tiles daily, leveraging economies of scale to offer prices 30% lower than China (for standard PGVT formats like 60x60cm) while maintaining competitive quality. By 2025, India’s ceramic tile market is projected to grow at 8.94% CAGR, outpacing China’s 5% growth rate, positioning Morbi as a future leader.

Key Insight:
Recent challenges like capacity under-utilization have emerged due to oversupply. Experts view this as a short-term correction, not a long-term risk. However, the Morbi Ceramic Association passed a circular to increase the base price for all kinds of ceramic productions by 10% from 1st February 2025 to stabilize prices and inventory. Here is the link to the circular.

2. Cutting-Edge Technology & Innovation

Morbi’s manufacturers have mastered digital printing technology for hyper-realistic designs (marble, abstract, wood, geometric patterns) and large-format tiles (up to 1600x3200mm). The 2025 focus includes:

  • Surface innovation: Textured finishes like “double digital” (embossing) and anti-slip surfaces.
  • Energy-efficient kilns: Reducing production costs by 15–20% through upgraded machinery.
  • Standardization: Enhancing quality consistency in popular PGVT formats (e.g., 60x120cm).

3. Sustainability as a Growing Focus

Over 85% of Morbi’s factories now use recycled water in production, cutting freshwater consumption by 40%. Eco-friendly practices include:

  • Green packaging: Recyclable cardboard and biodegradable wraps.
  • Waste reduction: Tile scraps repurposed for road construction.
  • Certifications: Over 200 factories hold IGBC Green Pro or ISO 14001 certifications.

4. Logistics and Export Efficiency

Morbi’s proximity to Mundra Port—India’s largest port—ensures 15–20% lower export costs compared to Chinese hubs. Key advantages:

  • Faster transit: 18 days to Europe vs. 25+ days from China.
  • Customs support: Freight forwarders in Mundra specialize in tile exports.

Morbi vs. China: A 2025 Supplier Comparison

Factor Morbi, India China
Pricing ✅ 30% lower for PGVT formats ❌ Rising labor/energy costs
Customization ✅ Rapid adaptation to regional trends ❌ Limited flexibility for small orders
Sustainability ✅ 85% factories use recycled water ❌ Lagging in green practices
Geopolitical Stability ✅ Vibrant Gujarat Summit incentives (2024) ❌ Trade tensions with EU/US
Export Diversity ✅ Ships to 180+ countries duty-free ❌ Anti-dumping duties in EU markets

Steps to Import Tiles from Morbi

1. Identify Reliable Suppliers

  • Certifications: Prioritize ISO, CE, UKCA, or Green Pro-certified factories.
  • Ethical audits: Look for suppliers with SMETA reports for labor compliance.
  • Factory visits: Attend the Ceramic & Bath Expo 2025 (June, Mumbai) to meet top players. See other popular tile exhibitions here.

2. Negotiate Pricing & MOQs

  • MOQs: Start at 500–1,000 sq.m., with bulk discounts for 10,000+ sq.m. orders.
  • Pricing: Porcelain tiles from $3–4/sq.m. (60x60cm PGVT).
  • Mix orders: Combine 3–4 designs per container to reduce inventory risks.

3. Manage Logistics

  • Packaging: Use reinforced wooden pallets with plastic edge guards. See the photo.
  • Shipping: Partner with Mundra-based forwarders for better sea freights.
  • Insurance: Opt for marine insurance covering breakage (0.5–1% of shipment value).

Challenges & Pro Tips

Challenge Solution Pro Tip
Ghosting suppliers Call directly if WhatsApp replies stall Use local agents for follow-ups
Quality inconsistencies Stick to trusted suppliers; avoid price-chasing Request batch testing reports
Long lead times Plan orders 3–6 months ahead Book during non-peak seasons
Hidden credit costs Compare cash vs. credit terms A 3-month credit adds 7–10% markup

Future Outlook: What’s Next for Morbi?

  • Export targets: Aiming for $5 billion by 2027, leveraging EU’s anti-China tariffs.
  • Youth-driven innovation: 70% of factory managers are under 40, driving tech adoption.

Conclusion: Morbi is Redefining Global Tile Sourcing

Morbi blends cost efficiency, custom designs, and quality consistency in ways few hubs can match. With Gujarat’s ceramics sector contributing ₹50,000 crore ($6B) annually, the region is poised to overtake China as the world’s top tile exporter by 2030.

Ready to Start?

  1. Shortlist suppliers: Use the unbiased factory directory.
  2. Order samples: Test quality with low-volume trial shipments.
  3. Leverage partnerships: Collaborate with logistics experts to streamline imports.

“Morbi isn’t just a manufacturing hub—it’s a global partner reshaping the future of tiles.”
– Mukesh Kundaria, President, Morbi Ceramic Association

Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to any trade names, organizations, or companies mentioned herein, including but not limited to Simpolo, Granicer, Icon, or Allcargo Logistics.

Read MoreA 2025 Guide for Global Buyers: Sourcing Ceramic Tiles from Morbi, India

Top global markets for Indian tiles

Recently we accessed the shipment data of 2023 for Morbi tiles. There are few countries which recently emerged as top exports markets for Indian tiles. For your ready reference we have put together 5 such top global destinations. For the context, we also listed top 10 exporters to each these key markets.

USA

At top is US market. This market came up in the top charts only after Covid’19. That too is mainly due to leading tile buyers such as MSI and Floor&Decor based in US.

Russia

Despite initial difficulties, Indian factories made good number of shipments to Russian market during 2023.

Iraq

Few years ago only wall tiles (30×60) were major product exported to Iraq. But now 60×60 (with 12 mm thickness) and other types of tiles are being shipped too.

Israel

There are more number of direct importers in Israel market. So most Morbi exporters and factories are working with one or more Israel importers.

United Arab Emirates

Being a trading hub, many global trading companies are based in JAFZA (Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority), RAKFZE and others. So practically the tile shipments sent to UAE are then shiped to other countries (mainly Africa and Arab nations). Many Indian factories (such as Aajveto) have their own companies registered in UAE.

Conclusion

If you are a new exporter of tiles from India, hope above data will help you understand which markets to look for for your first ever shipment. Always remember good quality and right price are the key for exports to any markets globally. For Morbi based factories, tiles price is easy to compare, but quality is highly subjective. So make sure you (and the client you are talking with) have clear understanding of the what he means by right quality tiles. We have a checklist for tiles quality here.
Read MoreTop global markets for Indian tiles

Another setback for Morbi’s export sales

Update [10th August 2020]: Despite many worrying views about the anti-dumping and future outlooks before it was enforced, we have heard from authoritative experts that exports to Saudi and other GCC markets are still not reduced much. The anti-dumping measures were imposed on 6th June. In spite of that during June 2020 the tiles exports from Morbi to only Saudi Arabia crossed 2.47 million square meters. It converts to approx 1600 containers!

Manoj Ughareja from Velsaa Vitrified LLP and Ashok Patel from Veritaas Granito have views that there is not much effect of the anti-dumping measure as it was anticipated earlier.
In the midst of paranoia created by the Covid-19 situation, there is another blow to Morbi’s flourishing ceramic tiles industry.

This time the news is from GCC (Gulf Co-operation Council), it is the largest export market for Indian tiles. So far so that many factories in Morbi were erected only considering the major chunk of GCC as a key export market for their tiles.

(FYI: GCC member countries are Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, and UAE)

…and it is fact. We have analyzed the export figures (ex-Mundra port) between April 2019 to January 2020 and found that GCC markets stand at # 1 position with consumption of 38% Indian tile exports (see below pie-chart).

India’s export marketshare of ceramic and vitrified tiles (in %) from Munara port between April 2019 to January 2020

This data is shipments done from Mundra port between April 2019 to January 2020
We have also seen project reports of a few wall tiles factories (which they submit to avail bank loans). In such reports, they used to mention exports to Saudi Arabia as their 50% sales.

So much reliance on the single market has given a hard blow to many ceramic wall tiles factories in April 2020, when GCC market adopted 41.2% anti-dumping duty on 196 Morbi based tiles factories and whopping 106% on ALL other Indian factories (as well as exporters see the table in the FAQ section below).

We have covered some important questions related to this anti-dumping measure by GCC.
What options are left with Morbi tiles factories after implementation of this ADD (anti-dumping duty) structure?
They are left with 2 options as under:

Option 1: Morbi factories will have considerable excess production which they will be forced to sell in the domestic market, slashing prices further in the local market. (FYI domestic market is not favorable to tiles factories due to delays in payment realization). This will result in less profitability.

Option 2: Another option left is to run the production under capacity. This is the least favorable choice as it also affects production costs.
Rate of dumping duty on CIF value (%) Indian origin Chinese origin
Non sampling cooperating companies 41.20% (196 Indian companies fall in this category) 23.5% (89 Chinese companies fall in this category)
ALL other companies 106% 76%
Read MoreAnother setback for Morbi’s export sales
Menu Home Scroll Top Contact