The 50th edition of
The Italian natural stone sector posted growth again in the first half of 2015, according to new figures analysed by the Marmomacc-Confindustria Marmomacchine Observatory. Between January and June, Italian exports of marble, granite and natural stone posted an increase of 5.2% compared to the same period in 2014, thanks to turnover of €978.1 million from international orders. Finished and semi-finished products were the driving force, with sales totalling €777 million (+7.3%), while raw materials (€201.1 million) posted a slight downturn (-2.3%). The first half of 2015 has also been two-figure growth for exports of Italian quarrying and processing machinery and technologies, posting turnover of €616.1 million (+28.8%).
Taking place this year from today until Saturday 3 October, Marmomacc is the primary platform for global promotion and development of the natural stone industry, according to Ettore Riello, president of Veronafiere. “This year there are 1,524 exhibitors, comprising 588 from Italy and 936 from 55 international countries, with more than 60,000 professional visitors expected from 140 countries. The event plays a strategic role in this sector and has even earned official recognition by the Ministry for Economic Development in being included in the Special Made in Italy Promotion Plan.”
Flavio Marabllli, honorary president of Confindustria Marmomacchine, said: “The positive results in the first half year for sector exports – for materials and technologies alike – are the best response to the Ministry's decision to include our sector in the special ‘Made in Italy’ Promotion Plan, which envisages the allocation of funds to promote the main sectors in national industry through the reference trade fair platforms. Overall, our sector is still one of landmark industrial fields in Italy, with exports in 2014 coming to just under €3 billion and a balance of trade in the black by almost €2.5 billion.”
The main outlet markets for Italian processed materials in the first six months of the year once again saw the United States in first place with €218.7 million (+30.2%), followed by Germany, with €71.3 million. Despite international tensions, Russia remained the largest customer for Italian companies in the East, with €23.5 million (+6.6%). Exports also grew to Turkey posting €6.6 million euros (+19.6%), Poland exports rose to €9.2 million (+10.8%), and Azerbaijan exports stood at €4.5 million (+6.6%).
In the Middle East, United Arab Emirates (€35.2 million - +54.3%), Saudi Arabia (€36.5 million - +1.9%) and Kuwait (€16.9 million - +8.7%) particularly stood out.
Asia is still the leading area among buyers of unhewn stone materials. In the first half of 2015, exports to India increased (€44.1 million +30.7%), while China (-8.5% / €58.9 million) saw a downturn despite remaining the main outlet for unprocessed blocks of Italian natural stone.
There were also positive signs for Italian stone imports. In six months, imports of raw materials increased (€169.8 million euros +13.1%), especially from Brazil (€44.1 million +49.7%), as well as those for finished and semi-finished materials (€57.9 million +16.3%).
As regards the natural stone quarrying and processing technology field – which had already closed 2014 +1.7% – Italian builders in the first six months of 2015 exported machinery and equipment for a total value of €616.1 million euros, with a two-figure increase of +28.8% over the same period in 2014. Once again, the United States leads the ranking of export outlets, with orders worth €65.8 million - an increase of 82% compared to the first half of 2014. Brazil also put in a good performance as second importer with €50.6 million (+78.6%), while Turkey dropped back to third place (€33.5 million -16.2%). Germany, as the leading European market, confirmed fourth place overall with imports worth €31 million (+12.6%), while Algeria climbed to fifth place (€26 million +67.7%), followed by Saudi Arabia (€22.5 million -1.5%), the United Kingdom (€20.9 million +69.6%) and India (€20.8 million -46%). The top ten list of importing countries closes with Spain (€19 million +158%) and China (€14.4 million -30.7%).
