The Valencian Business Confederation (CEV) published its economic outlook report this Monday, estimating a 2.7% growth for the Valencian economy in 2026. This boost is mainly linked to the strong performance of the labor market, consumption, and anticipated investment increases, stemming from reconstruction efforts after Dana and the Next Generation EU funds.
However, the report also highlights a significant contraction in the ceramics cluster of Castellón, influenced by international uncertainty. According to data from the employers' association Ascer, the tile sector's revenue fell by 4.6% in the first quarter of the year. This decline has affected both domestic and export sales and has led to a slowdown in new investments. Enamel companies, for their part, have recorded an year-on-year decrease of 4.61%.
Ascer warns that external demand remains "weak due to unstable trade policies," while domestic demand "is beginning to slow down due to rising costs and the increasing entry of tiles from third countries."
