Brazil’s Natural Stone Sector to Be Honored in Solemn Session at the National Congress

Unprecedented ceremony will recognize one of the most internationalized sectors of Brazilian industry, with strong economic impact, job creation and foreign exchange generation, and presence across all regions of the country.

For the first time in history, Brazil’s natural stone sector will be the focus of a Solemn Session at the National Congress, held at the request of the Espírito Santo federal deputies’ caucus, the country’s leading exporting state in the segment. The ceremony is scheduled for February 11, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., in the Ulysses Guimarães Plenary Hall of the Chamber of Deputies in Brasília, led by the head of the Capixaba Caucus, Federal Deputy Josias Da Vitória. This initiative marks an unprecedented institutional recognition of the economic, social, and strategic importance of Brazil’s natural stone sector to the country’s development.

The Solemn Session is part of the Legislative Branch’s official agenda and serves as a parliamentary tribute to the natural stone sector. Nationally, the sector is represented by the Brazilian Natural Stone Association (Centrorochas) and includes participation from entities and institutions operating in the country’s main production hubs, such as Sindirochas, the Union of the Ornamental Stone, Lime, and Limestone Industries of Espírito Santo; Sinrochas, the Intermunicipal Union of the Marble, Granite, and Ornamental Stone Processing Industry in the State of Minas Gerais; and Simagran, the Union of the Marble and Granite Industry of the State of Ceará. These employers’ unions represent Brazil’s three largest natural stone exporting states, Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, and Ceará, respectively. The ceremony will also feature Cetemag, the Marble and Granite Technology Center, and Rochativa, the Association of Social Activities of the Espírito Santo natural stone sector, underscoring the sector’s technical, social, and institutional dimensions, which support approximately 480,000 direct and indirect jobs nationwide.

Brazil ranks among the world’s leading players in the natural stone sector. It is the fourth-largest producer and fifth-largest exporter, with a 7 percent share of global trade in the segment. The country also holds the world’s greatest geological diversity, with more than 1,200 varieties of materials renowned for their quality, durability, and unique aesthetics.

In 2025, Brazil’s natural stone sector set a historic export record, reaching US$ 1.48 billion, a 17.5 percent increase over the previous year. Exports reached 132 countries, led by the United States, the main destination accounting for 53.6 percent of total exports, followed by China, Italy, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and Spain.

Espírito Santo has solidified its position as the country’s top export hub, accounting for 78.5 percent of the 2025 export value, approximately US$ 1.2 billion. The state also represents about 30 percent of national sector employment and 10 percent of its own GDP. Minas Gerais, Ceará, Bahia, and Rio Grande do Norte also stand out as key production and export hubs.

Beyond its economic significance, Brazil’s natural stone sector has made consistent advances in sustainability, innovation, and technology. Over 95 percent of the water used in production is reused, there is increasing use of renewable energy, full material reuse, and the development of circular economy solutions such as FiBRO, soil remineralization, and the use of by-products in civil construction and mining.

The Solemn Session also highlights the need for a regulatory environment aligned with the sector’s realities, particularly in environmental, mining, logistics, and infrastructure areas. For the Brazilian Natural Stone Association (Centrorochas), which brings together more than 470 member and supported companies across 17 states, progress on this agenda is essential to boost Brazil’s international competitiveness, safeguard jobs, attract investment, and ensure business predictability.

On this occasion, the national association will honor authorities and institutions that have made decisive contributions to strengthening the sector, with special recognition for its partnership with ApexBrasil, which is responsible for structuring international promotion initiatives for Brazilian natural stones and strengthening the country’s presence in key global markets.

About Centrorochas

The Brazilian Natural Stone Association (Centrorochas) engages in all national initiatives aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of the natural stone sector. The association also provides direct support for Brazilian entrepreneurs abroad, combined with commercial and operational activities related to the development and growth of Brazilian companies.

The association represents companies across the entire sector value chain, including mining, industrial processing, and natural stone exports. It includes more than 470 member and supported companies distributed across 17 Brazilian states and present in all regions of the country, with 76 percent located in the Southeast, 17 percent in the Northeast, 3 percent in the South, 3 percent in the Central-West, and 1 percent in the North.

Event Details

Solemn Session Honoring Brazil’s Natural Stone Sector

Date: February 11, 2026

Time: 11:00 a.m.

Venue: Ulysses Guimarães Plenary Hall, Chamber of Deputies, Brasília, DF

RSVP: secretaria@centrorochas.org.br or +55 27 99700-0982