Portuguese exports of natural stone to the United States have become roughly 40% more expensive due to newly imposed U.S. tariffs and the devaluation of the dollar, raising concerns that buyers may begin turning to cheaper alternatives, the national industry association warns.
“The only products we export to the United States are ornamental stone. These used to face a zero tariff, but now they are subject to a 15% rate,” said Miguel Goulão, president of the Portuguese Association of the Mineral Resources Industry (Assimagra), in an interview with Lusa. “When you add the tariff to the weaker dollar, we’re looking at a price increase of around 40%.”
According to Goulão, the full impact has not yet materialized, as contracts are typically signed for the medium term. Still, he emphasized that the risk is significant.
“At the moment, everything that has been contracted is being honored, but the real challenge will come with new projects,” he said, adding that “there is a risk that the market will begin to look for alternative materials, such as cheaper composites and ceramic products.”
Despite these pressures, Goulão noted that Portuguese producers still retain a degree of competitive advantage. “Chinese products face a 50% tariff, and Canadian products also carry high rates,” he explained. “Even though our tariff went from zero to 15%, within Europe we are all operating under the same conditions.”
The United States is not the primary destination for Portuguese stone exports, but it is the market that places the highest value on the product. “Our main market is France, but it is one of the markets that least values the product,” Goulão said. China and Spain follow France as leading buyers of Portuguese stone.
In terms of materials, limestone from Portugal’s central region leads export volume, followed by granite and marble.
