The Turkish natural stone sector demonstrated notable performance in the first three quarters of 2024, achieving exports valued at $1.43 billion. Among the primary destination markets were the United States, China, and India, which remain key drivers of demand for Turkish natural stone products.
Export Performance by Product Category
The data reveals a mixed performance across various natural stone categories:
- Processed Marble: Exports decreased by -4.73% in quantity and -1.05% in value, reflecting a downturn in demand or competitive pricing pressures.
- Blocks: Export volumes declined by -8.19%, accompanied by a value decrease of -7.25%, indicating challenges in this raw material segment.
- Processed Travertine: On the positive side, exports of processed travertine recorded growth of +9.68% in quantity and +11.84% in value, showcasing robust demand and successful market positioning for this product globally.
Market Destinations: Regional Trends
The performance varied significantly across geographic regions:
- Asian Countries: Exports to Asia contracted by -9.27%, signaling weaker demand or increasing competition in the region.
- North America: A bright spot, with exports growing by +10.27%, driven by strong demand in the United States.
- Near and Middle East Asian Countries: A steep decline of -12.20% reflects challenges in this historically significant market.
- Europe: Exports surged by +15.46%, underlining strong demand from European buyers.
- Central and South America: A modest increase of +3.26% indicates steady performance in this region.
- North Africa: Exports declined by -8.19%, consistent with broader challenges in this area.
- Central, Eastern, and South Africa: A notable growth of +12.23% suggests rising demand from these emerging markets.
Pricing Trends
The average price per ton of Turkish natural stone exports in 2024 reached $318.11 per ton, marking a modest increase of 3.9% compared to 2023. This reflects a general stabilization in pricing, despite fluctuating demand across regions and product categories.
When compared globally, Turkey’s average price per ton remains competitive. In 2023, Turkish natural stones were priced at $307.04 per ton, trailing behind Spain ($508.01 per ton), Brazil ($610.37 per ton), China ($815.56 per ton), and Italy ($1,092.74 per ton), but higher than India ($158.89 per ton) and Portugal ($283.76 per ton).
Outlook for Turkish Natural Stone Exports
Despite the challenges in certain regions and product segments, the Turkish natural stone sector remains a significant global player, leveraging its competitive pricing and high-quality offerings. Sustained growth in North America and Europe offers optimism, while the strong performance of processed travertine highlights the potential for targeted market strategies in value-added products.
The sector will likely focus on expanding into emerging markets, maintaining competitive pricing, and addressing regional challenges to sustain its global footprint in the months ahead.
Source: TAS dunyasi/Turkish Stone World and Markets Trends Analysis Office of CONFINDUSTRIA MARMOMACCHINE Association