According to Portugal's National Statistics Institute (INE), in 2012 the ornamental stones sector generated €324 million in exports, increasing 5% year-on-year.
The president of Assimagra (the Portuguese Association of Marble, Granite and Similar Branches) stated that the current crisis drove many companies to dismiss workers. Other problems are beyond the sector's direct control, and among them is the delay in the approval by state organisations of the unification of closed quarries and of the use of industrial oil, cheaper than the one used in vehicles.
The sector expects to find new opportunities in developing countries. China is the main foreign market, having been responsible for €42 million of Portugal's marble exports. Nonetheless the sector is also targeting Latin America, especially Brazil, and Africa. In Europe the only market which is not yet closed is Russia.
