Brazilian ornamental stone exports exceed US$ 1 billion in revenue

After a period of retraction, Brazilian exports of dimension stones returned, in 2019, to reach the emblematic mark of US$ 1 billion in revenue, a result 2.06% higher than in 2018. Although timid, the positive balance shows a change of course and possible recovery of the sector in the coming years. The impetus came mainly from the growth of Espírito Santo’s participation in the international scenario. From 79.9% in 2018, it increased to 81.8% in 2019, evidencing the role of the State in this economic segment.

Exports from Espírito Santo registered an increase of 4.43% in revenue, equivalent to almost US$ 828 million. Espírito Santo has the largest productive arrangement of rocks in Brazil. There are around 1,600 companies in the state that generate more than 25,000 direct jobs and 100,000 indirect jobs and are present in 78 municipalities.

The main destinations for Brazilian rocks in 2019 were the United States, China, Italy, Mexico and the United Kingdom. Last year, Brazil sent its natural stones to 125 countries; of these, Espírito Santo exported 106. The capixaba arrangement throughout its chain, such as extraction, processing, internal and external trade, production of machinery, equipment and inputs, services, etc., corresponds to approximately 10% of the State GDP.

For the president of Sindirochas, Tales Machado, the numbers are encouraging, but more is needed. “We are quite optimistic with the recovery of the sector, but this tenuous improvement has not yet been felt by all businessmen, which is common in initial processes of resumption of any economic activity”, he explains and explains that the released data reveal the behavior of exports , not reflecting the domestic market. “Although we don’t have official numbers, we have also been following a recovery in line with the evolution of positive numbers in civil construction over the past year, albeit below the initial forecast. The reduction in interest rates, inflation control and optimism in relation to the economy also contributed to an increase in the consumption of ornamental stones”, he says.

The president of Centrorochas, Frederico Robison, recalls the Brazilian tradition in the sector and reinforces the importance of logistics for the development of economic activity. “Brazil’s geological wealth enchants consumers around the world and the positive numbers for 2019 reinforce this great acceptance by the foreign market. We compete in the international market and live with narrow margins, so logistics is extremely important. Since they are extracted, our products follow a path of challenges until they reach the end customer. In addition to the constant search for logistical improvement, the ornamental stone sector needs to continue developing to establish its brand in new foreign markets in order to achieve more sustainable growth. Brazil needs to show what it produces with excellence. Brazilian dimension stones are much more than stones: we offer diversity, quality and refined finishes”, he concludes.

Partnership seeks to strengthen the Brazilian stone sector

National leader in Brazilian exports with almost 82%, Espírito Santo sends marble, granite and other natural stones to the five continents. Minas Gerais and Ceará complete the second and third position, with 11.3% and 2.2%, respectively. Together, the three states account for 95.3% of all ornamental stone exports in the country.

Last December, entities representing the sector in these three states signed a partnership to work in synergy for the development of propositional actions for the stone sector. The agreement represents a protocol of intentions creating a positive agenda to be carried out throughout this year, with technical support from four institutions: Centrorochas (Brazilian Center for Ornamental Stones Exporters), Simagran-CE (Union of Marble and Granite Industries of the State do Ceará), Sindirochas-ES (Union of Dimension Stone, Lime and Limestone Industries of the State of Espírito Santo) and Sinrochas-MG (Intermunicipal Union of Marble, Granite and Dimension Stone Processing Industries in the State of Minas Gerais). The partnership is born in line with what the sector has followed as the most modern in the world, where large institutions and corporations come together to obtain better results in their areas of activity.

According to Balbino Figueiredo, president of Sinrochas-MG, the agreement will enhance the synergies that already exist in the four entities and will bring the business community even closer to important debates and projects for the growth of the sector as a whole. “There is no better path than working in partnership towards a common goal. Our proposal is to make the sector even more solid, united and consistent to fight for the representativeness of the whole arrangement”, he says.

The President of Simagran-CE, Carlos Rubens, draws attention to the point of convergence between the entities

partner data. “There are many points in common in the institutional agenda of the four entities and there are many joint opportunities to be explored, which should generate gains for the entire stone production chain. I also defend that the sector in Brazil is aimless. It is time to build an agenda for the segment involving planning, a strategic map and an action plan”, he adds.

Ornamental Stones Sector Data

Revenue 2018 X 2019 (US$):

Brazil: 991,619,708 X 1,012,067,398 (up 2.06%)

Espírito Santo: 792,561,979 X 827,710,904 (up 4.43%)

Main exporting states (%):

Holy Spirit: 82.7

Minas Gerais: 11.4

Ceará: 1.4

Rio Grande do Norte: 1.3

Paraíba: 0.8

Main exporting municipalities (%):

Serra – ES: 25.3

Itapemirim Waterfall – ES: 19.5

Barra de São Francisco – ES: 13.0

São Domingos do Norte – ES: 4.3

Castle – ES: 3.2