Greece is a major player in the global marble market, ranking fifth worldwide for marble exports and second within the European Union. The country exports 76% of its marble production to over 120 countries, according to the Association of Marble Businesses of Macedonia and Thrace. China, the USA, UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia constitute the top five destinations, absorbing 58.2% of Greek marble exports.
In northern Greece, 72% of the country’s total primary marble production is mined, with Macedonia and Thrace being the primary regions where most Greek marble companies operate. These businesses generate over 85% of the sector’s total revenue and 98% of its profitability. Overall, the Greek marble industry includes 670 companies employing 6,500 workers, with a total employment impact of 18,000 jobs.
Leading the Way
Greece’s wealth in high-quality marble deposits, especially white marble, combined with a long-standing tradition in marble craftsmanship, has significantly contributed to the growth of its modern, dynamic marble industry. Today, Greece is a leading player in the global decorative stone industry in terms of production size and export volume.
The total number of businesses involved in the marble sector, including production industries, is estimated at around 4,000. This includes small, medium, and many large units that have made significant investments and are considered among the best in Europe in terms of size and modernization.
The sector employs more than 60,000 people in total, a significant proportion of whom are highly specialized in extraction, processing, and installation.
Sectors of Activity
Greek marble companies are active in the following areas:
- Quarries,
- Cutting and/or processing,
- Construction of artistic works, funerary and ecclesiastical monuments,
- Trade of marble blocks and products in both domestic and international markets,
- Marble installation and applications.
Vast Marble Reserves
Greece’s marble reserves are enormous, often considered practically inexhaustible. There is a wide variety of marbles in different colors and types, primarily white marbles, some of which are among the best in the world. Hence, Greece is regarded as the country with the greatest variety of white and light-colored marbles.
In addition to white marbles, there are many colored types, such as black, gray, beige, red, and green marbles, all possessing excellent quality characteristics. High-quality travertine and onyx are also extracted.
Generally, the quality of Greek marbles is exceptional, with physical and mechanical properties meeting all construction requirements as determined by laboratory tests.
High Productivity
The annual production of marble quarries in Greece reaches 2,000,000 tons, with the capacity of factories estimated to exceed 2,500,000 tons. Most factories are equipped with modern technology, capable of producing all kinds of final marble products, such as thin tiles of standardized dimensions, sanitary items, decorative marble products, monuments, artworks, and custom-sized products.
Importantly, these factories can fully meet their clientele’s special requirements, adhere to agreed delivery times, and comply with specified quality standards.
