Despite a challenging year, the Brazilian natural stone industry recorded revenues of $1.1 billion in exports in 2023. The data is provided by the Brazilian Center of Natural Stone Exporters (Centrorochas). The figure reflects the resilience of the sector, which, after meeting pent-up demand in the post-pandemic period, keeps facing old problems such as logistical obstacles.

The United States was the main destination for Brazilian natural stones, absorbing 54.7% of everything Brazil exported. China (15.4%), Italy (7.16%), Mexico (5.11%), and the United Kingdom (1.8%) follow. Among exporting states, Espírito Santo stayed in the lead, with 82.24% of national shipments, followed by Minas Gerais (10.4%) and Ceará (3.16%).

According to the president of Centrorochas, Tales Machado, the re-establishment of the segment as a consequence of the post-pandemic boom was expected.

“Many economic segments suffered the impacts of the pandemic immediately. In the stone industry, I would venture to say it is happening now," Machado said. "What reassures us is that this effect is produced as the re-establishment of revenues to pre-Covid levels."

According to the leader, even with the reduction in revenues compared to 2022, of 13.4%, the positive performance was still delivered, indicating the sector's ability to overcome adversities.

“Through It's Natural, we have been carrying out strategies for market expansion and we have been innovatively seeking a rapprochement with international stone specifiers,” he stated, referring to the sectorial project to promote Brazilian stones in the international market, developed by Centrorochas with support from ApexBrasil.

The actions confirmed for this year include the Brazilian participation in KBIS 2024, the main event for kitchen and bath design in North America, which will bring together more than 49,000 architects and designers from February 27-19 in Las Vegas, Nevada.