Brazilian natural stones follow a strategic program in the USA with a new mission to Washington

Washington, D.C., September 16, 2026 – While expanding its presence in new markets, the Brazilian natural stone industry follows an active program in the United States, the main destination for its exports. From September 15 to 17, a new mission to Washington, D.C., will advance the institutional and sectoral diplomacy work carried out in the country, with meetings with representatives of the U.S. government and Congress, the business community, and institutions involved in Brazil–U.S. relations, as well as meetings with the press.

This initiative is promoted by the Brazilian Natural Stone Association (Centrorochas) and the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) through the sectoral project It’s Natural – Brazilian Natural Stone. The mission is part of a strategy to establish a continuous institutional presence for the sector in Washington, fostering dialogue on the bilateral trade environment, the importance of Brazilian stone to the U.S. supply chain, and issues that affect its competitiveness in the market.

Over the course of the three days, Fábio Cruz, the vice president of Centrorochas, accompanied by the advocacy firm that represents the sector in Washington, will hold meetings at the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, including discussions with stakeholders involved in issues that relate to construction and real estate, as well as meetings at the U.S. Department of Commerce, at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce/Brazil–U.S. Business Council, at the Embassy of Brazil, and at the Atlantic Council. The schedule also includes meetings with experts and other strategic stakeholders.

“We have been developing a permanent institutional presence in Washington to broaden understanding of the importance of Brazilian natural stones to the U.S. supply chain and to ensure the sector has a voice in discussions that affect its competitiveness. Brazil and the United States enjoy a relationship built over decades. It connects companies and professionals from both countries. Our goal is to further strengthen these channels of dialogue and give the sector a voice in spaces where relevant decisions are debated,” says Fábio Cruz.

Strategic relationship

The United States remains the main destination for Brazilian natural stones. In 2025, the country imported US$795 million and around 587 thousand tons from Brazil, accounting for 53.6% of the sector’s exports.

In the first half of 2026, despite the tariff environment, the U.S. share remained at 51.2%, with US$364.3 million in purchases. However, since this July, some Brazilian natural stone products have faced an additional 25% tariff. More recently, a second measure imposed an additional 12.5% ​​tariff on Brazilian products, increasing tariff pressure on the sector.

One of the points emphasized by Centrorochas is that this relationship goes beyond imports. Around 99.9% of Brazilian exports to the USA consist of semi-finished products, mainly slabs, which undergo further manufacturing, finishing, distribution, and installation in the country, fueling a supply chain comprised of U.S. companies and professionals.

About It’s Natural – Brazilian Natural Stone

It’s Natural – Brazilian Natural Stone is an export promotion program developed by the Brazilian Natural Stone Association (Centrorochas) in partnership with the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil). The program aims to encourage and increase exports of Brazilian natural stones, through a set of strategic internationalization actions with initiatives geared towards promotion, strengthening of the image and development of the industry in the global market. Companies interested in being part of the project must visit https://podio.com/webforms/26378838/1995038 to register for free.

About Centrorochas

Founded in 2004, the Brazilian Natural Stone Association (Centrorochas) is the national representative body for the Brazilian natural stone industry. Operating in 17 states, with a network of over 470 member and supported companies, it represents and coordinates one of the leading natural stone producing and exporting sectors in the world. The organization works to defend the interests and strengthen the competitiveness of the production chain, promoting dialogue with government authorities, institutions, and strategic partners. Its initiatives encompass sector development, sustainability, innovation, market intelligence and knowledge, training, trade promotion, and internationalization, contributing to enhancing the competitiveness and expanding the presence of Brazilian natural stones in Brazil and abroad.

About ApexBrasil

The Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) works to promote Brazilian products and services abroad and to attract foreign investment to strategic sectors of the Brazilian economy. To achieve these objectives, the Agency carries out several trade promotion activities aimed at promoting exports and valuing Brazilian products and services abroad. They include prospective and trade missions, rounds of negotiations, support for the participation of Brazilian companies in major international fairs, and visits of foreign buyers and opinion formers to learn about the Brazilian production structure, among other business platforms that also aim to strengthen the Brazil brand. The Agency also works in coordination with public and private actors to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) to Brazil, focusing on strategic sectors, aiming at the development of competitiveness of Brazilian companies and of the country.