USITC Staff Report: Quartz Surfaces from India and Turkey staff report USITC | Page 36

Figure II-2
Housing: Seasonally adjusted new housing starts, monthly, January 2017- December 2019
1,800
1,600
1,400
1,200
1,000
800
600
400
200
0
Jan 2017
Mar 2017
Source: U.S. Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/construction/nrc/historical_data/index.html,
retrieved February 3, 2020.
End uses and cost share
U.S. demand for quartz surface products depends on the demand for U.S.-produced
downstream products including countertops and vanities in kitchens, bathrooms, and
commercial applications. Reported end uses include fireplaces, flooring, tiles, shower walls and
pans, windowsills, fireplaces, wall cladding, and cabinets.
Quartz surface products account for a large share of the cost of the end-use products in
which it is used. Reported cost shares for quartz surface products averaged 53 percent, with the
costs of other inputs made up by labor for installation and other material costs.
Business cycles
May 2017
Jul 2017
Sep 2017
Nov 2017
Jan 2018
Mar 2018
May 2018
Jul 2018
A slight majority of U.S. producers (5 of 9), a minority of importers (21 of 64), and about
half of purchasers (17 of 35) reported that the U.S. quartz surface products market was subject
to business cycles or unique conditions of competition. Specifically, U.S. producers, importers,
and purchasers reported that the market is dependent on construction and renovation cycles.
Regarding unique conditions of competition, U.S. producers, importers, and purchasers noted
that consumer preference drives trends for alternative products made from porcelain, marble,
granite, and stone. Eight U.S. importers noted changing dynamics in competition because of the
imposition of AD/CVD duties on imports from China. U.S. purchasers noted that shortages
resulting from tariffs on quartz surface products have led to the use of alternative materials.
Some purchasers reported that Cambria is their only supplier of quartz surface products besides
Sep 2018
Nov 2018
Jan 2019
Mar 2019
May 2019
Jul 2019
Sep 2019
Nov 2019
II-10