International Market Highlights

Worldwide, Italy is one of the sector’s major players, being among the biggest producers, biggest raw material importer, biggest per capita consumer and biggest stones, capital goods and technology exporter, being accountable, during 1999, for 32.9%, in weight, of the processed products transactions and 46%, in weight, of the machines and equipment transactions, within the international market.

The US, followed by Japan, by their turns, are the main finished products importers, being responsible for 32.6%, in weight, of 1999’s world transactions. China is the major machines and equipment importer, consuming almost 10%, in weight, of the total traded within the international market during 1999.

Among the twelve major producing countries, eight belong to the major consumers’ group and nine to the major processed rocks exporters, confirming the strong link among domestic market, production and businesses volume. Italy, Spain, Japan, Germany, US and France were responsible for 40% of the world consumption reported during 1999.

Brazilian stake within processed rocks international market is still limited and is far behind China and India positions, our main competitors. It was noticed a sharp decrease of Italy’s stake in processed rocks trade, specially because of India and specially China growth within the Asian market during the nineties. ver tabela

Nevertheless, Italy still stands out as the source of the major portion of processed rocks trade flows. China was accountable, together with Japan, for the major processed rocks trade flow, in weight, during the year 1999. The main Brazilian processed rocks trade flow is held with the US and it was placed in the 15th position in 1999’s world ranking. ver tabela