StatWatch: Slab Imports Keep On Growin’

The U.S. stone and quartz trade didn’t slow down for Thanksgiving, as imports kept flowing into the country and revealed some of the highest – and brightest – totals in years.

The exclusive Stone Update analysis of U.S. Department of Commerce import data showed quartz-slab shipments in November 2014 running 40% ahead of November 2013. The 3.96 million square feet received in U.S. ports-of-entry last November represented the best month yet for quartz imports in 2014.

Quartz’s growth rate in November, however, paled to worked (cut, one-side polished) granite, with the 225,672 metric tons moving into the United States creating a sizzling 72.3% growth from November 2013.

Brazil supplied the bulk (116,999 metric tons) of worked granite to the United States in November 2014, notching a year-to-year gain of 70.7%. China placed a distant second at 42,535 metric tons (+56.1% year-to-year), followed closely by an uncharacteristically large 39,139 metric tons (+350.1%) from Italy. India rounded out granite’s Big Four last November at 20,140 metric tons (+7.3%).

In quartz surfaces, Spain wrested back the top spot among U.S.-bound shipments in November 2014  with 1.06 million ft² (+24.8% year-to-year) and outpaced former leader Israel’s 873,157 ft² (+30.7%). China sent 780,209 ft² (+53.4%), with Canada slotting fourth at 547,527 ft² (+69.5%). Rounding out the 100K ft² club for November are Vietnam (278,613 ft², +52.4%) and India (120,932 ft², +81.5%).

Worked marble also showed solid growth in November 2014, with the 28,949 metric tons shipped to the United States moving ahead of November 2013 by 20.8%. Italy (again) led the way with 10,085 metric tons (+9.8% year-to-year), well ahead of second place Turkey (5,968 metric tons, +80%) and China (5,623 metric tons, +14.0%).

Other countries shipping at least 1,000 metric tons of marble last November included Spain (2,527 metric tons, +1.7%) and India (1,849 metric tons, +217.7%).

Among major surfaces, only travertine showed a downturn last November, with the 41,261 metric tons received at U.S. ports-of-entry ending up 8.6% lighter than November 2013 totals. Turkey, the dominant U.S. supplier, shipped 35,194 metric tons in November 2014, with only a scant 0.8% year-to-year loss from November 2013.

Other travertine sources didn’t fare as well last November, including Mexico (3,727 metric tons, -7.1%) and China (610 metric tons, -83.1%). Only Italy, among leading travertine shippers, managed a gain – a very, very slight 0.6% — with 1,140 metric tons.

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