Comparison of USA’ s imports of finished marble, granite products and ceramics between 2011 – 2020

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What do the US import more in the last decade, finished marble, granite products or ceramics?

USA is the largest importer of finished marble, granite and ceramics in the world. However, how did the imports of these products start in the last decade?

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The rise in ceramic imports is a fact. This is shown by the statistics of imports of finished marble, granite products and ceramics of the United States Census Bureau. Specifically, between 2011 – 2020, the imports of ceramics increased + 50.51%, of finished marble products + 37.37% while in finished granite products a decrease of -22.34% was recorded.

From the comparative analysis of the statistical data it becomes clear that the ceramics mainly and secondarily the finished marble product extracted significant shares from the finished granites. In 2011 the value of imports of finished granite and ceramics was at about the same level just over $ 1 billion. In 2020, imports of ceramics exceeded 1.6 billion dollars, while finished granite products exceeded 785 million dollars.

In the Chart that follows we see comparatively the course of imports of finished marble, granite and ceramics of the USA. between 2011 – 2020.

In the Graph we observe that ceramics dominate over finished marbles and granites. In the finished granite products we see the continuous fall from 2015 in contrast to the marbles and ceramics that record a decrease only between 2018 – 2020 due to the trade war and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The United States, with the largest imports of finished marble, granite and ceramics, California, Texas and Florida, had a significant impact on total US imports. California between 2011 – 2020 recorded an increase in imports of ceramics +105.8, in finished marble imports remained marginally stable at + 0.03% while in contrast to finished granite products there was a large decline – 56.66%. Texas recorded an increase in imports of ceramics + 30.19%, in finished marble products + 31.78% and in finished granite products + 1.42%. Florida recorded an increase in imports of ceramics + 56.4%, finished marble products + 51.2% and finished granites + 9.7%.

The trade war that began in 2018 in conjunction with the COVID-19 pandemic led to a drop in US imports. of all three materials. Between 2018 – 2020, a decrease was recorded in the value of ceramic imports – 13.12%, in finished marbles – 18.84% and in finished granite products – 12.69%.

Examining the major US suppliers. We noticed the expected drop in imports from China, which in ceramics reaches -99%, in finished marble products – 36.5% and in finished granite products – 36.3%.

India, Spain, Turkey and Brazil accounted for China’s lost market shares in ceramics. Respectively, India and Brazil gained market shares from China in finished marbles and India in finished granites.

 

* The statistics are derived from the analysis of the Tariff Class Codes – Harmonized System (HS) Codes:

* According to the New Harmonized System of the World Customs Organization of 2017, the ceramic products with tariff class HS 6907 and HS 6908 were merged into HS 6907.

6907: Ceramic flags and paving, hearth or wall tiles; ceramic mosaic cubes and the like, whether or not on a backing (excl. of siliceous fossil meals or similar siliceous earths, refractory goods, tiles specially adapted as table mats, ornamental articles and tiles specifically manufactured for stoves).

6908: Glazed ceramic flags and paving, hearth or wall tiles; glazed ceramic mosaic cubes and the like, whether or not on a backing (excl. of siliceous fossil meals or similar siliceous earths, refractory ceramic goods, tiles specially adapted as table mats, ornamental articles and tiles specifically manufactured for stoves).

680221: Marble, travertine and alabaster articles thereof, simply cut or sawn, with a flat or even surface (excl. with a completely or partly planed, sand-dressed, coarsely or finely ground or polished surface, tiles, cubes and similar articles of subheading 6802,10, setts, curbstones and flagstones).

680223: Granite and articles thereof, simply cut or sawn, with a flat or even surface (excl. with a completely or partly planed, sand-dressed, coarsely or finely ground or polished surface, tiles, cubes and similar articles of subheading 6802 10 00, setts, curbstones and flagstones).

680291: Marble, travertine and alabaster, in any form (excl. tiles, cubes and similar articles of subheading 6802.10, imitation jewellery, clocks, lamps and lighting fittings and parts thereof, buttons, original sculptures and statuary, setts, curbstones and flagstones).

680293: Granite, in any form, polished, decorated or otherwise worked (excl. tiles, cubes and similar articles of subheading 6802.10, imitation jewellery, clocks, lamps and lighting fittings and parts thereof, original sculptures and statuary, setts, curbstones and flagstones).

*Due to consistent data flow, statistics may alter during the year

For more statistics contact [email protected]