EDDIE WANG, GENERAL MANAGER OF LIYUAN LUXURY STONE SPOKE TO MARBLE TREND…
At Xiamen Stone Fair, we are in Hall C, trying to understand the direction of the Chinese market. For years, we were accustomed to seeing the grand booths of Chinese companies adorned with Turkish stones, but now Brazilian stones have taken center stage. To discuss both market trends and the current situation in China, we sat down with Eddie Wang, General Manager of Liyuan Luxury Stone. We begin by talking about the Chinese market. Eddie explains that for many years, the Chinese government took encouraging steps to support the import of marble. However, in recent times, some local quarries have started operating, especially in the gray stone segment. He adds: “Beyond that, Cambodia has emerged as a strong alternative for gray stones, while Vietnam is gaining strength in the white stone category.”
900,000 TONS OF BRAZILIAN STONE
We then turn to Brazilian stones, which are prominently displayed at Liyuan Luxury Stone’s booth. When asked about Brazil’s growing dominance in the industry, Eddie provides striking figures: “There’s not much to say—the numbers speak for themselves. In 2024, China imported 900,000 tons of natural stone from Brazil, marking the highest amount ever recorded. The total value of these imports reached approximately $1.2 billion USD.” It is evident that exotic Brazilian stones are now highly sought after. Green tones continue to be extremely popular. Red and yellow shades are also gaining traction.
BEIGE IS ALWAYS SPECIAL
We now turn our attention back to Turkish stones. We ask Eddie Wang why Turkish stones, which have always been popular in China, have recently taken a backseat. With his characteristic politeness and charm, Eddie responds: “The current situation should be viewed somewhat as a fashion trend. Two to three years ago, Turkish gray stones were extremely popular in China. Before that, the same was true for beige stones. Right now, more exotic and dynamic stones are in the spotlight. However, in terms of quantity, Turkish stones are still among the top choices in China. In the marble industry, we must acknowledge that some stones have been replaced by ceramic, porcelain, and other artificial materials. As a result, more unique stones without artificial alternatives have come to the forefront. Recently, interest in beige stones has been rising again. Personally, I believe beige is always a very special and elegant choice. Depending on its quality, beige represents a luxurious and distinguished tone.”
