According to the latest available statistics, the export of Portuguese stone products in the first ten months of 2024 amounted to over 399 million euros, with a total quantity of approximately 1,510,747 tons. This represents a decline of -5.86% in value and -9.51% in quantity compared to the same period in 2023.
Despite the decline in total exports, the average price per ton of Portuguese stone showed an upward trend. In the first ten months of 2024, the average price per ton reached 264.19 euros, marking an increase of 4.03% compared to the previous year. This price increase suggests a shift towards higher-value stone products or a response to global economic factors affecting production and logistics costs.
When comparing the final average export prices of natural stone worldwide, Portugal remains competitive. In 2023, Portugal’s average price per ton was recorded at US $283.76, positioning it above India (US $158.89) but below major exporters such as Turkey (US $307.04), Spain (US $508.01), Brazil (US $610.37), China (US $815.56), and Italy (US $1092.74). This pricing reflects Portugal’s position in the global market as a mid-range player in terms of export value.
The European market remains the primary destination for Portuguese stone, accounting for 53.78% of total exports. However, this segment has experienced a decrease of -6.99%. The extra-European market, representing 46.22% of total exports, also saw a decline of -4.52%, indicating an overall slowdown in demand across key international markets.
Looking at specific destination countries, France remains the leading importer of Portuguese stone, experiencing a positive growth rate of +6.39% in 2024. In contrast, exports to China saw a significant decline of -12.96%, while shipments to Spain also dropped by -8.08%. These shifts reflect changing market dynamics and demand fluctuations in the construction and design industries across different regions.
Overall, the Portuguese stone industry faces a challenging export environment in 2024, with reductions in both volume and value. However, the rise in average export prices suggests resilience in maintaining the quality and value of its natural stone products.
