MARBLE TREND SPECIAL REPORT
Italy Did Not Give Much Hope in 2025
Italy is undoubtedly one of the strongest countries in the natural stone sector… However, statistics for the first 7 and 8 months of 2025 reveal that business has not been going very smoothly for Italy either. Let’s start with processed product exports… In the processed stone market, the United States stands out as Italy’s largest customer. Although Italy achieved a strong momentum of around 6.2% in this market, total processed product sales declined by 3.3%.
2.1% GROWTH IN BLOCK EXPORTS
Progress is more visible in the block market, where Turkey has faced challenges for years. In the first 7 months of 2025, Italy exported block stone worth €274.1 million, achieving a 2.1% growth compared to 2024. In the block market, China—Italy’s largest destination—recorded a 2% increase, while growth of 5.9% was observed in India.
MACHINE SALES ALSO DECLINED
2025 also impacted Italian technology, one of the strongest pillars of the natural stone sector. In the January–July 2025 period, Italy’s machinery exports declined by 12.3%. While Italian companies exported machinery worth €600.2 million in the same period of 2024, this figure fell to €526.3 million in 2025.
A Step Back from Portugal
The general stagnation in the global economy appears to have affected Portuguese natural stone exporters as well. According to data from the first 8 months of 2025, Portugal’s natural stone exports declined by 2.36% in value and 1.32% in volume compared to the same period of 2024. Exporting 1.18 million tons of natural stone during the 8-month period, the country generated revenues of €310.6 million.
REVENUE PER TON IS DECLINING
Another discouraging development for Portugal is the decrease in revenue per ton. In the first 8 months of 2025, the average revenue per ton of exported natural stone was €262.73. This indicates a 1.06% decline compared to the €265.5 per ton level recorded in 2024. Let’s underline two more points. Portugal exports 54% of its total natural stone exports to Europe. France, the country’s largest market, recorded 3.6% growth in the first 8 months of 2025. China, ranking second, grew by 7.4%, while Spain, in third place, posted 2.5% growth.
GREECE RECORDS A 9.58% LOSS
It can be said that 2025 has not been very pleasant for Greece either. According to figures from the first 6 months of the year, Greece experienced a 9.58% decline in natural stone exports. Export revenues for the first half of 2025 were recorded at $161.7 million. China stands out as Greece’s biggest problem market. Compared to the same period of 2024, Greece’s exports to China declined sharply by 32%. Another critical destination, the United States, also saw a 4% decrease in the first 6 months of 2025. On the other hand, the Saudi Arabian market provided positive momentum, showing a strong 28.3% increase.
