Spain – Natural stone exports exceed € 1 billion

The Valencia and Galicia Regions are the sector´s biggest exporters: Natural stone exports exceed € 1 billion in 2007
According to the report “Comercio Exterior del sector de la piedra natural en España” (Foreign trade in Spain´s natural stone sector), drawn up by the OMPN (Observatorio de Mercado de la Piedra Natural – Natural Stone Market Observatory), reporting to the AIDICO (Instituto Tecnológico de la Construcción – Construction Technology Institute), and the FDP (Spanish Natural Stone Federation), in 2007 Spanish natural stone exports exceeded € 1 billion for the first time, an achievement made possible by the accelerating internationalisation seen in the sector since the beginning of this century.

Exports stood at just over € 1 billion, representing a 6.8% increase on 2006. Meanwhile, imports, which since 2004 had also witnessed double-digit year-on-year growth, slowed slightly to reach €377.2 million. According to the study, Spain´s natural stone sector is maintaining a competitive position in foreign markets despite the emergence of new competitors such as China and India. European Union members constitute the main destination for Spanish exports and account for 68% of the sector´s export revenue. Within the EU, Spain´s biggest customers are France (27%), the United Kingdom (13%) and Germany (10%). Among non-EU destinations, greatest sales are made to the United States (14%), China (9%) and the United Arab Emirates (4%).
As regards exports by volume, China receives the biggest quantity of Spanish stone (26%), although the EU overall remains the country´s main export destination, accounting for 58% of the total. The countries showing greatest volume demand for Spain´s natural stone exports are France (20%) and the United Kingdom (10%).

Turning to imports, China is the country from which most stone is bought, accounting for 25% of the total sum, although imports from other EU members are also significant and provide 28% overall, essentially from Italy (14%) and Portugal (12%). Other countries that sell notable volumes of stone to Spain are Turkey (14%), India (12%), and Brazil (11%), among others. By volume, imports from the EU make up the biggest share of the total at 38%, of which 29% comes from Portugal. Nevertheless, the report also underlines that China provides 21%, Turkey 11% and India 10%.
This article will continue next month.

 
Source: www.stonereport.com