What was the export trend of the world’s largest marble blocks and slabs exporter in the first quarter of 2018?
Stonenews.eu, after studying the statistical results* of the International Trade Centre, the UN Comtrade and the National Statistical Institutes, is presenting Turkey’s marble blocks and slabs exports during the first quarter of 2018 as well as the 2017 comparative data.
Turkey’s marble blocks and slabs exports rose according to 2018 first quarter statistics. In comparison with the same period of 2017, there was an increase of 1,88% in value and 9,48% in quantity. Contrary to value and quantity, the price per tonne continued the downward trend of previous years.
China remains the main destination for Turkey’s marble blocks and slabs exports during the first quarter of 2018, despite the decline compared to 2017.
The following table shows Turkey’s marble blocks and slabs exports during the first quarter of 2018, with the corresponding changes compared to 2017.
As shown at the table, there was an upward trend both in value and quantity of Turkey’s marble blocks and slabs exports during the first quarter of 2018 due to fluctuating January exports. However, the value and quantity of exports in 2018 are the highest in the last four years opposite to the price per tonne that is the lowest.
In February 2018, exports decreased compared to January, but despite falling, they have remained marginal to 2017 levels, which were significantly higher than in previous years. The price per tonne in February declined compared to January and was the lowest of the last five years.
In March, exports rose compared to February after wide fluctuations. In March 2018, there was a decline in value and quantity compared to 2017 while the price per tonne, despite the increase, is the lowest of the last five years.
The statistics for the first quarter of the last five years confirm the downward trend in price per tonne as the difference between value and quantity of exports is mitigated with a negative impact on price per tonne. Typically, between 2014 and 2018, there was a 10% decrease in value and 0.7% in quantity, resulting in a 9.4% drop in price per tonne.
*Due to consistent data flow, statistics may alter during the year
**The statistics are derived by HS Code 2515 (Harmonized System Codes): Marble, travertine, ecaussine and other calcareous monumental or building stone of an apparent specific gravity of >= 2,5, and alabaster, whether or not roughly trimmed or merely cut, by sawing or otherwise, into blocks or slabs of a square or rectangular shape (excluding in the form of granules, chippings or powder)
Source: Stonenews.eu, UN Comtrade, ITC
