StatWatch July 2019: No Big Void in Quartz

By Emerson Schwartzkopf

Quartz slabs remained strong in July’s U.S. hard-surface import data, despite China all-but-dropping-out of the market.

Granite, meanwhile, remained strong, as Brazil moves far ahead of 2018’s pace in sending slabs to the United States.

More than 6.5 million ft² of quartz slabs from China rushed through U.S. ports-of-entry in May and June to sail through a regulatory loophole for implementing 300%-plus unfair-trade tariffs. July’s shipments from the country, meanwhile, might be enough to cover a couple of decent subdivisions in Phoenix.

Others continue to step in to fill the loss of Chinese quartz, including a big recovery in shipments from Vietnam and Italy.

All data is from the U.S. International Trade Commission, along with Stone Update analysis.(Comparisions with July 2018 data is shown in parentheses.)

QUARTZ SURFACES

Total: 14,037,611 ft² (-18.4%)

Sector Leader: India, 4,726,816 ft² (+492.7%)

Backfill: The non-tariff loophole for Chinese quartz closed in early July, and — POOF — shipments went from 3.5 million ft² in June to less than 20,000 ft² in July. The market kept a strong pace, however, led by big year-to year gains from India, Turkey and a resurgent Vietnam.Thre’s even a big (+447.1%) push from Italy.

Jul-19 Jul-18 Change TOTAL 14,037,611 17,205,965 -18.4%         India 4,726,816 797,508 492.7% Spain 2,660,362 1,602,024 66.1% Turkey 1,445,624 377,296 283.2% Vietnam 1,113,838 265,954 318.8% Israel 1,004,982 822,416 22.2% Canada 752,354 491,555 53.1% Italy 691,301 126,357 447.1% South Korea 286,513 73,711 288.7% Czech Republic 248,894 97,209 156.0% Germany 197,399 82,032 140.6% Malaysia 183,460 0 N/A Portugal 182,190 248,937 -26.8% Taiwan 171,124 7,481 2187.5% Brazil 153,590 64,196 139.3% Belgium 110,125 32,399 239.9% Poland 28,858 0 N/A Mexico 24,068 1,615 1390.7% China 19,504 12,114,651 -99.8% Estonia 16,210 0 N/A Hong Kong 15,414 62,345 -75.3% Indonesia 3,229 0 N/A Thailand 1,152 12,217 -90.6% Philippines 603 215 180.0% Source: U.S. International Trade Commission, Stone Update analysis

 

WORKED GRANITE

Total: 131,684 metric tons (+7.2%)

Sector Leader: Brazil, 65,999 metric tons (+46.3%)

Backfill: Worked (sawn, one-side polished) granite keeps ahead of 2018 import totals, although it’s the turn of Brazil to prop up July as the other two members of granite’s Big Three (China, India) post double-digit declines.

19-Jul 18-Jul Change TOTAL 131,684 122,809 7.2%         Top Countries       Brazil 65,999 45,116 46.3% China 25,388 29,882 -15.0% India 25,206 28,011 -10.0% Spain 8,969 8,860 1.2% Italy 2,284 3,586 -36.3% Canada 1,783 6,363 -72.0% Source: U.S. International Trade Commission, Stone Update analysis

 

WORKED MARBLE

Total: 50,325 metric tons (+17.4%)

Sector Leader: Turkey, 19,627 metric tons (+49.0%)

Backfill: Turkey dominates marble by shipment volume as four of the top five exporters to the United States show year-to-year increases. After several months of decline, Italy moves ahead of 2018.

19-Jul 18-Jul Change TOTAL 50,352 42,881 17.4%         Top Countries       Turkey 19,627 13,172 49.0% Italy 9,200 8,720 5.5% India 8,693 8,325 4.4% Brazil 4,619 2,440 89.3% China 4,477 6,653 -32.7% Source: U.S. International Trade Commission, Stone Update analysis

 

TRAVERTINE

Total: 17,181 metric tons (-31.4%)

Sector Leader: Turkey, 11,527 metric tons (-37.0%)

Backfill: Still no pullout from the tailspin in U.S. shipments.

	19-Jul	18-Jul	Change
TOTAL	17,181	25,039	-31.4%
Top Countries
Turkey	11,527	18,284	-37.0%
Mexico	3,971	4,033	-1.5%
Italy	646	1,009	-36.0%
Peru	298	828	-64.0%
China	266	673	-60.5%
Spain	247	124	99.2%
Source: U.S. International Trade Commission, Stone Update analysis

 

 

OTHER CALCAREOUS

Total: 11,776 metric tons (-23.8%)

Sector Leader: China, 2,871 metric tons (-21.2%)

19-Jul 18-Jul Change TOTAL 11,776 15,454 -23.8%         Top Countries       China 2,871 3,643 -21.2% Canada 1,979 3,246 -39.0% Italy 1,163 1,265 -8.1% Portugal 1,035 1,544 -33.0% Turkey 806 2,641 -69.5% Source: U.S. International Trade Commission, Stone Update analysis

 

OTHER STONE

Total: 38,209 metric tons (-14.0%)

Sector Leader: India, 13,070 metric tons (-17.5%)

19-Jul 18-Jul Change TOTAL 38,209 44,432 -14.0%         Top Countries       India 13,070 15,834 -17.5% Brazil 11,697 15,247 -23.3% China 8,313 6,821 21.9% Canada 1,753 1,689 3.8% Italy 1,594 2,513 -36.6% Source: U.S. International Trade Commission, Stone Update analysis

 

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