Made in Italy stone sector growing also in the first half of 2015. From January to June, the export Italian marble, granite and natural stone registered a del% increase 5,2 compared to the same period of 2014, thanks to 978,1 million euro of orders from across the border. Specifically, finished and semi-finished products are driving the race, with sales of 777 million euros (+7,3%), while raw materials, with 201,1 million euros, mark a slight decrease (-2,3. XNUMX%). Double-digit growth for exports of Italian mining and processing machinery and technologies, with a value of 616,1 million euros (+28,8%).
These are the numbers, elaborated by theMarmomacc-Confindustria Marmomacchine Observatory, with which the national sector presents itself at the appointment with the 50th edition of Marmomacc, the most important international event for business and culture related to natural stone, scheduled at the Verona Fair from Wednesday 30 September to Saturday 3 October 2015.
"For 50 editions Marmomacc has been the first global promotion platform for the development of the marble-stone industry - he explains Hector Riello, president of Veronafiere –. This year there are 1.524 exhibitors, of which 588 Italian and 936 foreign from 55 nations, while we are expecting more than 60 specialized operators from 140 countries. The event therefore plays a strategic role for the sector, also recognized by the Ministry for Economic Development which has included it in the Made in Italy extraordinary promotion plan”.
Secondo Flavio Marabelli, honorary president of Confindustria Marmomacchine “The positive data of the 1st semester relating to sectoral exports – both for materials and technologies – are the best response to the choice of the MiSE to include our sector within the Extraordinary Promotion Plan of Made in Italy, which provides for the allocation of funds for the promotion of the main sectors of national industry through the reference exhibition platforms. Overall, ours remains one of the industrial sectors of reference for the country, thanks to a value of exports which, in 2014, came close to 3 billion euros and to an annual trade balance of almost 2,5 billion".
Focus on raw, finished and semi-finished stone products
The main target markets of processed stone materials, even in the first six months of the year, see in first place the United States with 218,7 million euros (+30,2%), followed by Germany, stable at 71,3 million euros. Despite international tensions, the Russia it is confirmed as the largest customer of Italian companies in the East, with 23,5 million euros (+6,6%). Exports to are also growing Turkey (6,6 million euros/+19,6%), Poland (€9,2 million/+10,8%) e Azerbaijan (4,5 million euros/+6,6%).
In Middle East, the United Arab Emirates stand out (35,2 million euros/+54,3%), Saudi Arabia (36,5 million euros/-1,9%) and Kuwait (16,9 million euros/+8,7 %). With the exception of the case of Morocco (17,9 million euros/+11,8%), the Mediterranean basin, between Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt and Libya, marks a general drop in imports of 8,4 percent. Finally, with 9,3 million orders, the turnover of Italian companies to India doubles.
Among buyers of raw stone materials, on the other hand, Asia once again continues to represent the reference area. In the first half of 2015, direct exports increased India (44,1 million euro/+30,7%), while a decrease in China (-8,5%) which, with 58,9 million euros, is in any case confirmed as the main world outlet for unprocessed blocks of Italian stone.
Positive sign also forItalian stone import. In six months both that relating to raw materials increased (169,8 million euros/+13,1%), in particular from Brazil (44,1 million euros/+49,7%), and that of finished and semi-finished products (57,9 million euro/+16,3%).
Focus machines and equipment for the extraction and processing of natural stones
With regard to the natural stone extraction and processing technology sector – which had already closed 2014 with a +1,7% increase – in the first six months of 2015, Italian manufacturers exported machinery and equipment for a total Of 616,1 million euro, with a double-digit percentage increase of + 28,8 % compared to the same period of the 2014.
Again they are the United States to lead the ranking of export destinations, with orders for 65,8 million euros and an increase of 82% compared to the first half of 2014. The performance of the Brazil, second importer with 50,6 million euros (+78,6%), while la Turkey (33,5 million/-16,2%). The first European market is confirmed Germany, fourth overall with 31 million euro of imports (+12,6%), while theAlgeria (26 million/+67,7%), followed by Saudi Arabia (22,5 million/-1,5%), UK (20,9 million/+69,6%) and India (20,8 million/-46%). They close the top ten of importing countries, the Spain (19 million/+ 158%) and the China (14,4 million/-30,7%).
Summary overview of the Italian stone sector: final balance for 2014
In 2014, the Italian techno-marble supply chain had a turnover of over 3,9 billion euros. Exports came close to 2,9 billion euros, equivalent to almost 75% of the total value, with a positive trade balance of 2,48 billion euros. Considering the production of marble, granite and stone, both raw and worked, Italy holds the second place for turnover in the ranking of exporting countries. The leadership is undisputed in the machinery and equipment sector, where the Italian share of exports of technologies for processing natural stone reaches 60% of the world total. The Italian industry linked to the stone sector matters 3.339 companies structured, with 33.680 workers.
