The Italian natural stone market moved at a stabilizing pace during the first quarter of the year, demonstrating resilience amid international challenges. According to the latest marble export statistical data processed by Stonenews, the sector’s foreign trade presents a mixed picture with internal variations between raw and processed materials, as well as distinct fluctuations in certain Middle Eastern markets.
Overall, the value of Italian marble exports for the first quarter of 2026 stood at €313.26 million (a slight increase of 0.68% compared to the same period in 2025), while the export volume reached 311,699.63 tons (+0.34%).
First Quarter Overview: Raw vs. Processed Marble
Data analysis indicates that the quarter’s performance was primarily supported by raw marble, while the processed sector showed signs of deceleration.
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Raw Marble: Recorded a positive trajectory, with its value increasing by +9.66% to reach €93.22 million. Quantity rose by 3.95% (221,726.66 tons), while the average price per ton grew by +5.50%.
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Processed Marble: Despite accounting for the largest share of total revenue (€220.03 million), its value decreased by -2.69% and quantity dropped by -7.58% (89,972.97 tons). The decline in demand was partially offset by a +5.29% increase in the average price per ton.
Shift in Trends During February – March
During the two-month period of February – March 2026, a reversal of trends was observed between the two categories. Total marble exports for these two months increased in value by +3.4%, despite a -2.5% decrease in volume.
In this period, processed marble rebounded, with its value strengthening by +10.99%, even though quantity decreased by -3.5%. This development is linked to a significant jump in the average price per ton by +15.01%.
Conversely, raw marble saw a decline in value by -13.81%. Although export quantities rose slightly (+2.05%), the -12.01% drop in the average price per ton negatively impacted the category’s final revenue.
Export Performance in the Middle East Market
The data from the Gulf countries market is of particular interest, where a noticeable slowdown in the flow of Italian processed marble was recorded during February and March 2026.
Specifically, regarding processed exports to Saudi Arabia, value decreased by -30.76% and quantity by -34.10%, while the average price per ton moved positively at +5.08%. A similar but more pronounced picture emerged in the United Arab Emirates, where the value of processed products fell by -68.23% and quantity by -70.12%, with the average price per ton recording an increase of +6.32%.
Italian marble export activity demonstrates adaptability, capitalizing on fluctuations between raw and processed goods, as well as price adjustments in international markets. However, the downturn observed in traditional Middle Eastern commercial destinations is a factor that exporters are expected to monitor closely in the coming period.
