In the first half of 2025, Brazil’s natural stone exports displayed stark contrasts across product categories. Engineered quartz emerged as the sector’s growth engine, significantly boosting overall export value. In contrast, processed granite and marble showed signs of stagnation or decline in volume, with only modest positive trends in pricing. However, beyond the figures lies a deeper concern: the sector’s heavy reliance on a handful of export markets — a structural weakness that exposes it to considerable commercial and geopolitical risk.
Quartz Leads the Way
Engineered quartz took center stage in the first half of 2025, with exports reaching $344.1 million, up +49.5% year-on-year. Export volume climbed +42.5% to 144,426 tons, and the average price rose 4.95%, reaching $2,382.83 per ton.
Raw quartz also performed well, with export value increasing +26.7% and volume rising +30.4%, totaling $58.1 million and 102,221 tons, respectively. The average price slipped slightly by -2.82%, but remained solid at $568.76/ton.
Granite and Marble: Struggling to Gain Ground
Processed granite saw a -1.28% decline in export value, totaling $168.6 million, with a more significant drop in volume (-9.61%). On the upside, the average price rose +9.22% to $634.59/ton, suggesting a pivot toward markets with higher price acceptance.
For processed marble, export value increased by +5.07%, but volume fell sharply by -11.98%. The average price soared +19.37% to $1,386.64/ton, indicating a more selective but premium-oriented demand.
Export Model: Quartz and Granite Dominate
The data confirm that Brazil’s natural stone export model is primarily built on two pillars:
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Engineered Quartz: A high-margin product with significant added value, averaging over $2,300/ton.
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Processed Granite: A volume-driven product, traded at more competitive price levels.
Together, these two categories account for the overwhelming majority of Brazil’s natural stone exports, both in volume and value.
Geographic Concentration: A Risky Export Path
Destination market analysis reveals a concerning lack of geographic diversification:
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Engineered Quartz: A single country absorbs 81.4% of export value and 80.6% of volume.
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Processed Granite: One primary market accounts for 65.1% of value and 67.3% of volume.
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Processed Marble: 76.3% of export value and 75.9% of volume go to a single destination.
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Raw Quartz: Two countries dominate, with 49.7% and 42% of export value, respectively.
This extreme concentration underscores Brazil’s overreliance on a narrow set of commercial partners, leaving the sector highly exposed to external shocks.
Trump Tariffs: A Wake-Up Call for the Industry
The recent decision by the Trump administration to impose tariffs of up to 50% on imported stone products serves as a stark warning. For Brazilian quartz exports — heavily reliant on a single market — this move poses an immediate threat to both competitiveness and the viability of existing trade flows.
While Brazil’s current export structure has proven profitable in recent years, its lack of geographic balance makes it inherently vulnerable. Any shift in trade policy, consumer preferences, or geopolitical dynamics could have disproportionate consequences.
Strategic Realignment is Urgent
To ensure long-term sustainability, Brazil’s natural stone sector must rethink its export strategy. Key priorities include:
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Expanding geographic diversification to reduce exposure to any single market.
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Investing in secondary and emerging markets with long-term potential.
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Enhancing resilience through product and market model diversification.
2025 may prove to be a turning point. The direction the Brazilian stone industry chooses in the coming months will determine whether today’s successes translate into lasting stability — or whether they are ultimately undermined by structural dependencies.
