The Italian natural stone field (granite and marble) improved again thanks to exports closing 2012 at a total value of €1.761 billion, an increase of 9.7% over 2011.
The result was essentially driven by finished and semi-finished products.
Good performances were achieved in the USA (+28%); Canada (+25.9%); Saudi Arabia (+70%); North Africa (+11%) and China (+19.9%). Domestic consumption is still slow, with imports down by 5.3%.
Exports of finished and semi-finished products came to €1.405 billion (+10.9%), while the remaining €356 million (+5%) came from unprocessed materials.
Imports saw a slight drop to a total of €401 million (-5.3%).
These are the main figures for the Italian stone industry in 2012 drafted by the
The most important international event dedicated to natural stone, technologies and design is scheduled at Veronafiera, Verona, Italy, from 25-28 September 2013 (www.marmomacc.com).
On a continental level, Europe is still the reference market, with orders worth €632.1 million, more or less stable at +0.4%. Germany is Italy’s main export outlet worth €156.9 million (+3%) followed by Switzerland (€103.4 million, +8.2%); France (€69.9 million, +10.9%); the United Kingdom (€48.8 million, +2.3%) and Spain (€12.9 million, +5.3%).
Shipments to Australia fell by 5.1% to €19.4 million.
The Mediterranean area, on the other hand, is ensuring interesting prospects: exports to the North African countries posted +11% for a total of €35.6 million with Morocco taking the lion's share with €24.9 million (+0.7%). Egypt also performed well with €2.8 million (+59.3%).
Turning to Eastern Europe, 2012 saw a slight downturn in Italian marble and granite exports, for a total value of €124.8 million (-2.4%) although the Russian market went against this trend with an increase of 8.5% to €46.6 million.
The data shows that positive signs also came from Asia, with China expanding from €21.1 million to €25.3 million (+19.9%).
As regards imports of unprocessed materials, 2012 confirmed the drop in domestic demand in the wake of the economic and building industry crisis.
Brazil is still the largest supplier to Italian companies, with €52.9 million (-6.7%) followed by India (€37.1 million, -14.3%) and South Africa (€22 million, -5.7%).
“The overall picture highlights the critical importance of cross-border development for the Italian stone industry which finds in Marmomacc its main international hub for sector trade: out of more than 1,450 exhibitors at the 47th edition of the event, 60% came from 57 different countries, as well as 52% of the 56,000 operators and buyers from 140 countries,” says Marmomacc Observatory.
“Veronafiere is a vital tool at the service of companies in the country-System and continues to pursue its project for establishing its events in consolidated and emerging markets all over the world.
“Marmomacc enjoys on-the-spot presence in the United States oversees (StoneExpo Marmomacc Americas); Brazil (Vitória Stone Fair and Cachoeiro Stone Fair); Saudi Arabia (Saudi Stone Tech); Egypt (MS & Middle East Africa) and Morocco (Médinit Expo).
