StatWatch: Quartz Growth Slows Down

 

It’s a rare market where 20% annual growth – and a new U.S. import record – could be seen as a let-down, but quartz-import growth in May shows some slack developing in a hot material.

The all-time monthly high of $22.2 million in quartz-slab import values comes mainly with Spain’s $10.1 million (beating the previous record of its own $9.4 million in May 2012). Israel maintains a strong second at almost $4.8 million, with China continuing its strong 2013 run with $2.9 million. Canada completes the million-dollar club at $1.7 million; other significant gains include India besting May 2012 totals by 267.7%, and Korea doubling its year-to-year import values.

U.S. Quartz Slab Imports – Value
(square feet)
May-13 May-12 Change
Spain 1,041,730 1,042,441 -0.1%
Israel 546,720 502,147 8.9%
China 392,247 209,498 87.2%
Canada 149,015 82,990 79.6%
India 97,015 25,478 280.8%
Belgium 36,683 80,869 -54.6%
Italy 32,873 24,520 34.1%
Vietnam 26,522 29,891 -11.3%
Korea 25,317 14,230 77.9%
Portugal 14,542 14,617 -0.5%
Turkey 14,477 366 3855.9%
Czech Republic 12,917 4,273 202.3%
Germany 7,901 0 N/A
Brazil 5,167 538 860.0%
Hong Kong 4,747 0 N/A
Kenya 2,573 0 N/A
Sweden 0 2,799 N/A
Total 2,410,446 2,034,657 18.5%
Source: U.S. International Trade Commission, Stone Update analysis

The 2.4 million ft² of quartz slab entering U.S. ports-of-entry this May also marks a new monthly high, although sector leader Spain send 711 ft² (or, given different Silestone® sizes, 13 to 16 slabs) less than May 2012. Israel maintains the second spot at 546,720 ft² (+8.9%) but China continues to ramp up at third with 392,247 ft² (+87.2%). Canada (+79.6%) and India (+280.8%) keep growing, with an additional nice turn (+77.9%) from Korea. Belgium takes the biggest dip in May with its 36,683 ft² (-54.6%).

U.S. Quartz Slab Imports – Volume
(square feet)
May-13 May-12 Change
Spain 1,041,730 1,042,441 -0.1%
Israel 546,720 502,147 8.9%
China 392,247 209,498 87.2%
Canada 149,015 82,990 79.6%
India 97,015 25,478 280.8%
Belgium 36,683 80,869 -54.6%
Italy 32,873 24,520 34.1%
Vietnam 26,522 29,891 -11.3%
Korea 25,317 14,230 77.9%
Portugal 14,542 14,617 -0.5%
Turkey 14,477 366 3855.9%
Czech Republic 12,917 4,273 202.3%
Germany 7,901 0 N/A
Brazil 5,167 538 860.0%
Hong Kong 4,747 0 N/A
Kenya 2,573 0 N/A
Sweden 0 2,799 N/A
Total 2,410,446 2,034,657 18.5%
Source: U.S. International Trade Commission, Stone Update analysis

StatWatch is a snapshot of U.S. dimensional-stone and hard-surfaces imports, offering a summary and exclusive Stone Update analysis of data from the U.S. International Trade Commission. Comparisons are made mainly to gauge market trends. Analysis is made on import figures of the latest month available.

 

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