Granite Imports: Still Good in 2013
U.S. imports of granite slabs and tile continued taking the high road back from recession in the first half of this year, showing a 5.4% gain from the same time in 2012.
An exclusive Stone Update analysis of U.S. Department of Commerce data reveals that 699,364 metric tons of “worked” granite – cut and at least partially finished – came into the country in January-June this year, up from 663,572 metric tons for the first six months of 2012.
Brazil continues as the top foreign source, shipping 316,651 metric tons in 1H 2013, a 4.4% increase from the previous year. Brazil also accounts for the largest single month of 2013 imports so far by any country – 71,802 metric tons in May.
The biggest gainer in 1H 2013, meanwhile, is China, with its six-month total of 195,499 metric tons beating last year’s first half by 33%. Its biggest month, however, came in January with 47,310 metric tons; June, by comparison, weighs in at 30,449 metric tons.
India’s first-half total of 100,749 metric tons this year appears to be a setback, slotting 24.7% below the same time last year. The 2012 totals, however, include an extraordinary April at 59,394 metric tons, which ranked some 45,000 metric tons over and above average; factor the one-month bump out, and India shows a good double-digit gain.
The first half of this year also emphasizes the continuing trend of the Big Four of granite imports – Brazil, China, India and Italy – becoming the Big Three. Italy’s 40,336 metric tons in 1H 2013 offers a 22.5% gain from last year, but it’s less than 10% of total granite shipments from a country that once dominated the trade.
May marks the top month so far in overall worked-granite imports at 138,895 metric tons, closely followed by June at 133,499 metric tons. Last year, the two big months came in the second half: November, at 161,794 metric tons, and August, at 160,005 metric tons.
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