Cachoeiro Stone Fair kicked confirming Cachoeiro de Itapemirim (ES) as the Brazilian capital of natural stones

In its 36th edition, the fair runs until Friday (August 29) at the Carlos Caiado Exhibition Park.

“Today we have more than 200 exhibiting brands at a fair that is 15% larger and expects to welcome 16,000 visitors from all Brazilian states and 25 countries. More than just numbers, these figures confirm the importance of Cachoeiro Stone Fair for strengthening the local production chain and the natural stone industry. We are committed and have worked hard to deliver a bigger and better event, promoting both the natural stone sector and Espírito Santo’s economy,” said Flávia Milaneze, CEO of Milanez & Milaneze, during her opening speech at the fair, which has become consolidated as Brazil’s largest gathering of stonemasons.

The opening ceremony, held late Tuesday afternoon (26) at the event’s Content Arena, brought together hundreds of participants, including government authorities and industry leaders. Among the officials present were Governor Renato Casagrande, Vice Governor Ricardo Ferraço, Marcelo Santos, President of the Legislative Assembly, and Theodorico Ferraço, Mayor of Cachoeiro de Itapemirim.

Industry representation included Paulo Baraona (President of Findes), Henrique Guido (new President of Cetemag), Bismark Bachiete (newly elected President of Sindirochas), Tales Machado (President of Centrorochas), and Ed Martins, the outgoing President of Sindirochas.

All leaders highlighted the importance of the sector for the city and the state, as well as the need for measures to maintain growth, accelerate development, and strengthen the industry amid opportunities and challenges — particularly the “tarifaço” recently announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, which directly impacts the sector.

“The tariff issue is real and already affecting us, but we’re seeing positive movement from several industry players. I truly believe in our resilience. We are on track to achieve our broader business-generation goals,” said Tales Machado, President of Centrorochas.

Ed Martins, who formally transferred Sindirochas’ presidency to Bismark Bachiete, reflected on the fair’s role in the sector’s growth:

“We’ve had a 36-year partnership with the fair, and it’s important to showcase how the event has evolved alongside the market itself: we used to sell blocks, and today we sell finished slabs.”

His successor, Bismark Bachiete, emphasized collaboration among industry players:

“I’m committed to continuing to bring business leaders together and reinforcing that our unity is what strengthens the sector. By taking our demands to different levels of government, we’ll work to resolve the sector’s key bottlenecks.”

Legislative Measures

A highlight of the first day was the official signing of a bill authorizing ICMS credit transfers and subsidized financing for companies in the sector. The measure directly addresses the impacts of Trump’s tariffs and has been in effect since August 1, already producing significant results.

“Passing this bill and creating working capital programs for the affected sectors is a way to ensure business continuity and protect jobs,” said Governor Renato Casagrande, adding:

“Despite these negative developments, we remain focused on opening new markets and maintaining our strong presence at the global negotiation table for the sector.”

Vice Governor Ricardo Ferraço reinforced the state’s commitment to supporting the industry:

“We’re going to expand and modernize the event center to ensure that Cachoeiro Stone Fair not only remains here but continues to grow,” he said, echoed by Paulo Baraona, President of Findes.

Record-Breaking Numbers

With 30,000 square meters of exhibition space, expanded stands inside and outside the pavilion, a reorganized layout, and the addition of five new areas next to the stone block sector — which this year reaches a record with 65 blocks, each weighing 32 tons — the fair marks a milestone in scale and structure.

The event also features an updated mobile app, a curated content program with case presentations, and enhanced opportunities for networking and business connections. Expectations are for 16,000 visitors, including stonemasons, distributors, architects, designers, and construction professionals from across the entire production chain.

Under the theme “Connections That Move”, the fair runs until Friday, August 29. As Brazil’s leading showcase for companies in the sector, Cachoeiro Stone Fair enables businesses to present their products and innovations to both national and international clients, creating new business opportunities and driving global market expansion.

Organization and Support

The event is organized by Milanez & Milaneze, a Veronafiere Group company, and promoted by Centrorochas, Sindirochas, and Cetemag.

The fair is exclusive to industry professionals and requires prior registration, which can be completed through the official link.