U.S. imports of finished marble fell 7.44% in value and 10.44% in volume. Italy strengthened its position, Turkey remained a major supplier, while significant differences emerged among the main U.S. states.
The U.S. finished marble market moved to lower levels during the first half of 2026, according to the analysis of import data for the period.
Total finished marble import value declined by 7.44% compared with the first half of 2025, while imported volume fell by 10.44%. At the same time, the comparable average import value per tonne increased by 2.55%.
The figures point more to a market correction than to a broad-based contraction. The decline in volume indicates weaker commercial activity, while the increase in average value per tonne suggests that pricing and product mix continued to play an important role.
A stronger second quarter
The quarterly data show a notable difference between the first and second quarters of 2026.
In the first quarter, marble import value declined by 17.28%. Granite and ceramics also recorded significant declines of 51.69% and 27.22%, respectively, while quartzite increased by 4.80%.
The picture improved in the second quarter. Marble imports increased by 2.49% in value, while quartzite rose by 11.83%. Granite and ceramics remained in negative territory, although their declines narrowed.
The development therefore points to selective stabilisation during the second quarter rather than a broad-based recovery in the U.S. market.
Different trajectories among the main materials
The ten-year data highlight significant differences among the main materials imported into the United States.
Between the first half of 2016 and the first half of 2026, the value of marble imports increased by 10.9%, while volume declined by 1.5%.
Over the same period, granite recorded a much sharper contraction, with import value falling by 63.6% and volume by 58.1%.
Quartzite followed a markedly different trajectory, with import value increasing by 128.8% and volume by 72.7%.
In the first half of 2026, the average import value stood at approximately $1,097 per tonne for marble, compared with around $1,187 for quartzite, $619 for ceramics and $584 for granite.
The figures indicate that marble continues to occupy a distinct position in the U.S. market, with a higher average value than granite and ceramics and a long-term trajectory that differs significantly from both materials.
Italy and Turkey remain the two main supply poles
Supplier concentration remains particularly high in the U.S. finished marble market. The ten largest suppliers accounted for 95.71% of total import value in the first half of 2026.
Italy and Turkey together accounted for 66.11% of total import value, compared with 63.18% in the first half of 2025 and 58.87% in 2016.
Italy recorded the highest import value of the period covered by the analysis and its largest volume since 2016. Between the first halves of 2024 and 2026, Italian marble imports increased by 21.57% in value and 21.65% in volume, while the average value per tonne remained broadly stable, above $3,100.
Turkey followed a different trajectory. In the first half of 2026, its import value declined by 15.73% and volume by 19.96%. At the same time, its average value per tonne increased by 5.28%, reaching $631.10.
China also recorded a contrasting performance. Imported volume increased by 13.33%, while import value declined by 32.70%. As a result, the average value per tonne fell by 40.61%, to $670.76.
Greece also recorded a decline in the first half of 2026, with marble imports down 7.71% in value and 6.68% in volume. Its presence in the U.S. market remains more limited in volume terms, with Greek marble positioned in higher-value segments.
The figures point to significant differences in the performance of individual suppliers, both in terms of volume and value, as well as in the average value of the products entering the U.S. market.
The geographical distribution of imports is changing
Significant differences are also visible in the distribution of marble imports among U.S. states.
Six states — California, Florida, Texas, New Jersey, New York and Georgia — accounted for 74.01% of total import value in the first half of 2026. The corresponding share was 74.28% in 2025 and 73.60% in 2016, indicating that overall geographical concentration has remained relatively stable.
Within this broader picture, however, the performance of individual states varied considerably.
Florida recorded the sharpest decline among the major markets. Import value fell by 24.63%, to $86.75 million, while volume declined by 28.48%, to approximately 131,650 tonnes. Its average value per tonne increased by 5.24%, reaching $651.93.
According to the analysis, Florida accounted for approximately 62% of the national decline in import value and 92.18% of the decline in volume.
California, by contrast, recorded a 1.03% increase in import value and a 17.15% rise in volume. Its average value per tonne declined by 14.77%, to $1,053.33.
Texas also recorded an increase in import value, up 5.68% to $81.79 million, despite a 4.34% decline in volume. Its average value per tonne increased by 14.94%, reaching $1,063.65.
New Jersey recorded increases of 2.40% in value and 5.37% in volume.
New York followed a different pattern: import value declined by 7.93%, while volume increased by 10.57%. Its average value per tonne fell by 16.51%, to $1,818.02, although it remained the highest among the six major states and 65.75% above the national average.
The data therefore point to significant changes within the U.S. market, despite relatively stable overall geographical concentration.
Tariffs are a factor, not a single explanation
The first half of 2026 also unfolded against a changing U.S. trade environment, including the transition from the previous tariff regime to a temporary additional 10% surcharge introduced on February 24, with different treatment applying to individual countries.
Tariffs are therefore one of the factors shaping the commercial environment in which suppliers and importers operated during the period. However, the data do not support interpreting the changes across countries, materials and U.S. states as the result of a single tariff-related factor.
Pricing levels, product mix, production scale, established trade networks and access to different segments of demand also influence the performance of individual suppliers.
A market in adjustment
The first-half figures describe a U.S. finished marble market that is weaker in volume terms but not moving uniformly.
The 7.44% decline in import value and 10.44% fall in volume indicate a correction compared with 2025. At the same time, the improvement recorded in the second quarter, the relatively high average value of marble imports and the different performances of suppliers and states point to a market undergoing adjustment rather than a linear contraction.
Italy strengthened its position, Turkey remained an important supplier, while China recorded a significant decline in average import value. Greece continued to maintain a presence in the U.S. market, despite lower import activity during the first half of the year.
For the remainder of 2026, developments in demand, pricing, trade policy and the distribution of activity among U.S. states will remain among the key factors shaping the direction of the market.
