Brazil: From block supplier to slab producer

One could almost be envious: Whereas Europe is hoping for an upturn, Brazilian natural stone industry is in full swing. The producers and processors in the world??s fifth largest country have every reason for optimism. A new quarry is opened every week and there are already well over 1,000 different materials. Brazil already holds fifth place in the world as block supplier and eight place for rough slabs and finished products. The total turnover of the Brazilian stone industry is estimated at 2.8 billion US dollars.

According to Brazilian statistics, altogether 6.4 million tons of marble, granite, slate and quartzite are extracted per year, of which 36 per cent are exported. The ??#118alue of exports in the first half of 2005 was 347000000 US dollars.

The USA with 49 per cent is Brazil??s most important customer. The colourful granites are very popular among American end consumers. More and more American natural stone processors therefore purchase polished slabs and make them into kitchen worktops in the USA. Europe is the second most important customer with 36 per cent, followed by Asia with 6 and the Latin American market with 5 per cent.