Italian marble and stone exports/imports in 2005

摘要

The trade balance of the stone industry is still (slightly) on the decrease, but signs of recovery emerge in the internationals scenario that the Italian companies can make the most of. These are the findings of Internazionale Marmi e Macchine (IMM), as stated in its long-awaited yearly survey, announced today just before CarraraMarmotec, the international marble fair due from May 31st to June 3rd. Compared with 2004, in 2005 Italy exported over 4.7 million tons (+1.1) of marble, granite and stones worth 1.77 billion euros (-0.5 percent) and imported 3 million tons (+1.3 percent) worth 552 million euros (+ 4.08 percent). The national export trends (see enclosed table) is however very varied, with 3,1 million tons for the most important entries alone: marble + 6.7 percent, granite, blocks and slabs, +1.1 percent. But this increase in quantity is matched by a decrease in value (1.69 billion euros in the exports of the most valuable items): -2.8 percent for marble, -14.2 percent for granite. A decrease, which is just slightly offset by finished granite (+3.3 percent).