Official data processed by the CONFINDUSTRIA MARMOMACCHINE Studies Center for the first half of 2024 show – in a very complex international context – that foreign revenue for the Italian stone industry held steady. Despite a slight dip (-1.9%) from last year, total exports of stone materials and stone-working technologies reached 1,155.2 million euros, remaining on the record levels of the two previous years and further increasing the sector’s trade surplus (+1.4% to 1,350 million).
In detail, the half-year figures showed growth of 4.2% in foreign sales of natural stones (for worth of 1,067.3 million), with a new peak in average price per ton (nearly 1,000 euro/ton), while there was a 13% downturn (for 483.9 million) for exports of stone-working machinery and equipment.
The statistics were presented at a press conference for the inauguration of the 2024 edition of MARMOMAC, the tradeshow of reference for the global stone industry held in Verona from September 24 to 27. “As a whole, with more than 3,200 companies and 34,000 employees, 2023 revenue of 4.5 billion euros, exports worth 3.2 billion, a strong propensity to export – accounting for 71.2% of production – and above all an annual active trade balance of 2.7 billion, the Italian stone industry is confirmed, even in terms of numbers, as one of the driving and excellent sectors of manufacturing Made in Italy” declared Flavio Marabelli, Honorary President of CONFINDUSTRIA MARMOMACCHINE during the press conference.
“On the outlook front, given the uncertainties tied to developments in the macro-economic and geopolitical situations – in particular the war in Ukraine, the conflicts in the Middle East and the American elections – it isn’t easy to evaluate demand trends for the coming months. Much will depend on our companies’ ability to quickly react to a changing context, changing course as needed”, Marabelli stressed. In any case, the predictions made by the association’s Studies Center are imprinted with cautious optimism and in the second half of the year expect a confirmation of growth in sales of materials and a partial recoup in sales of stone technologies, with industry totals that should remain on 2023 levels”.
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