Brazil Shines in Xiamen
XIAMEN, China – As the lights were being turned off on the 25th China Xiamen International Stone Fair, the Guest Country of Honor – Brazil – went home more than satisfied with its presence at the world’s largest such gathering.
The country, through It’s Natural – Brazilian Natural Stone program, walked away with almost $33 million (US) in new business deals in the Asian market. That’s more than double the expectation of deals for the coming 12 months.
It’s Natural – Brazilian Natural Stone is a joint effort developed by the Brazilian Natural Stone Association (Centrorochas) and the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil). At Xiamen, the country brought together 20 companies – three more than the previous year – from three of the country’s stone-producing states.
Following the 2024 Xiamen show, Brazil registered sales of $14 million (US). During the four days of this year’s show $7.7 million was raised in immediate business deals, with $25.2 million to follow.
The country’s presence also strengthened the commercial partnership between Brazil and China. China is the second main destination for exports of Brazilian natural stone behind the United States, which receives more than 50% of Brazil’s stone exports.
For the president of Centrorochas, Tales Machado, the invitation for Brazil to make its debut as the country of honor was a recognition of the solid relationship between the two countries, as well as an opportunity to increase the visibility of the sector in new strategic markets.
The 2025 edition of the Xiamen Stone Fair broke its historic record with more than 2 million square feet of exhibition space in 24 pavilions. More than 2,000 exhibitors from 40 countries and regions drew more than 153,000 attendees from 122 countries and regions for the mid-March event.