Brazilian ornamental stone exports grow 7.98% in the 1st quarter of 2022

Brazilian exports of ornamental stones in the 1st quarter of this year grew by 7.98% compared to the same period in 2021, accumulating a total of US$ 281 million in revenue. The sale of granite slabs was the highlight in the period, accounting for 62.2%, totaling US$ 176.4 million sent outside Brazilian territory, mainly to the United States.

In the first quarter of this year, the North American nation absorbed 72.5% of all national exports of finished materials. The data were disclosed this Monday (18th) by the Brazilian Center for Ornamental Stones Exporters (Centrorochas). At the beginning of the month, the entity that executes the It’s Natural – Brazilian Natural Stone project, in partnership with the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil), took 73 companies from the segment to Coverings, the largest covering fair in South America North. Brazil’s participation broke a record with the largest total area ever occupied by the country among all editions of the event.

The 1st quarter of 2022 also brought another highlight: the evolution of the average price of Brazilian materials, which increased by 9.5% compared to the 1st quarter of 2021. According to the president of Centrorochas, Tales Machado, the resilience of industries was important in the period. “Companies in the stone sector have shown their power to react to this new reality in the international market with large exchange rate fluctuations and frequent fluctuations in the price of maritime freight”, he warned.

Major exporting states

Among the Brazilian states with the highest representation in national exports, Espírito Santo ranked first, with 79.4% of exports. Followed by the states of Minas Gerais (11.8%) and Ceará (3.9%).

According to the president of Sindirochas, Ed Martins, the country that most received exports from Espírito Santo was the United States, followed by China and Mexico. “Of all Espírito Santo rocks exported in the first quarter of this year, 64% were destined for the United States. Sixty-one companies from Espírito Santo were in the country from April 5 to 8, participating in Coverings 2022. The fair took place in Las Vegas and marked the return of face-to-face events for the sector in the region. All businessmen returned very satisfied and motivated with the result”, he celebrated.