White House’s August 6 announcement of an additional 25% duty — effective August 27 — delivers a crushing blow to a sector almost entirely dependent on American buyers.
Indian engineered quartz stone manufacturers are facing a crisis of unprecedented scale after the United States imposed a steep 50% tariff on imports — a move that has abruptly halted shipments and thrown the relatively young sector into deep uncertainty.
On Wednesday, August 6, the White House announced an additional 25% tariff on India, raising the total tariff burden to 50% against one of America’s most important trading partners. The new tariffs will take effect on August 27, further tightening the noose around an industry that was already struggling to find its footing after initial growing pains.
Unlike most Indian exports, which enjoy a diverse set of international markets, engineered quartz is almost entirely dependent on the U.S. consumer base. This singular reliance has now proven disastrous, following the tariff announcement by former U.S. President Donald Trump. With all consignments currently stranded at ports, producers are grappling with the economic fallout.
The industry’s origins in India trace back less than a decade, with the majority of manufacturing units established between 2015 and 2016. The expansion was driven by surging U.S. demand for quartz stone as a premium alternative to traditional granite — a trend that prompted many granite exporters to make a strategic, capital-intensive pivot to engineered quartz production. Yet, for many of these firms, profitability remains elusive.
Today, the sector is sizeable, with about 2,500 containers of quartz stone shipped to the U.S. every month. Roughly 50 factories, concentrated in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Rajasthan, form the backbone of this manufacturing base. Globally, demand for engineered quartz surfaces is forecast to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.9%, reaching USD 33.50 billion by 2027.
However, domestic consumption of quartz stone in India remains minimal. “The Indian market is marble-based, especially imports from Turkey and Italy. Only if our government imposes duties on them can local consumption of quartz pick up, which is also a long-term goal. But currently, we need an immediate solution with exports completely stalled,” said Krishna Rao, founder president of the Federation of Indian Quartz Surface Industries.
Without swift policy intervention or market diversification, industry leaders warn that the survival of India’s engineered quartz sector — still in its infancy — is at serious risk.
