Italy’s natural stone import market recorded mixed developments in the first half of 2026, with finished marble products emerging as the strongest-performing category. The substantial increase in both import value and volume in this segment contrasted with significant declines across granite categories, while imports of raw and finished quartzite followed different trajectories.
According to the available data, the total value of marble imports (Total Marble) increased by 13.92% compared with the first half of 2025, despite a marginal 1.19% decline in imported quantities. This divergence points to an increase in the average import value per tonne, even as overall volumes remained broadly stable.
Strong Growth in Finished Marble Products
Finished marble products recorded the most notable growth among the categories analysed, with import value rising by 49.58% and quantities increasing by 23.96%. The average value per tonne also climbed by 20.66%, representing the strongest increase among the individual product categories.
By comparison, imports of marble blocks and slabs remained virtually unchanged in value, recording a marginal increase of 0.21%, while quantities declined by 5.9%. The average value per tonne increased by 6.49%, partially offsetting the impact of lower import volumes.
The contrasting performance of these two segments highlights the different dynamics affecting imports of raw and processed marble in Italy, with finished products demonstrating considerably stronger growth during the period.
Significant Decline in Granite Imports
Granite imports followed a markedly weaker trend. The value of imported granite blocks and slabs fell by 49.61%, while quantities declined by 51.92%. Despite the substantial contraction, the average value per tonne increased by 4.79%.
A similar, although less pronounced, decline was recorded in finished granite products. Import value decreased by 31.10%, while quantities fell by 23.86%. In this category, the average value per tonne also declined, by 9.51%, indicating that the reduction in import value was accompanied by lower average values.
Mixed Performance for Quartzite
Imports of raw quartzite declined by 6.71% in value, despite a marginal increase of 0.78% in quantities. The average value per tonne fell by 7.44%, contributing to the overall decrease in import value.
In contrast, finished quartzite products recorded a 4.35% increase in import value, alongside a substantial 29.43% rise in imported quantities. However, the average value per tonne dropped by 19.37%, the steepest decline among all the product categories examined.
This development indicates that the growth in finished quartzite imports was primarily volume-driven, with significantly lower average import values per tonne.
Different Trends Across Product Categories
The first-half 2026 figures highlight the uneven performance of Italy’s natural stone import market. Marble maintained positive momentum in terms of overall import value, supported particularly by the strong performance of finished products. Granite, on the other hand, experienced a considerable contraction across both raw and processed categories.
Quartzite imports presented a more differentiated picture, with contrasting developments between raw materials and finished products. The significant increase in finished quartzite volumes was not accompanied by a corresponding rise in import value.
Overall, the figures underline the importance of examining individual product categories when assessing developments in the Italian natural stone market, as changes in import value, quantities and average value per tonne reveal substantially different trends across the sector.
