U.S. Surface Imports First Quarter 2017: The China Syndrome?

When it comes to U.S. imports of dimensional surfaces two numbers draw the big interest: the change in shipments for granite and quartz slabs. And, with the data, it’s still an up-and-down world.

Imports of “worked” (cut, one side polished) granite in 1Q 2017 trailed the same time last year by 10.7% at 348,458 metric tons. Considering that shipments in January-February this year totaled 9.7% less than the first two months of 2016, the numbers aren’t heading off the cliff.

Brazil nearly mirrored the overall drop in U.S.-bound granite with a 1Q 2017 decline of 10.6%, but the big drag came from China; its total of 74,494 metric tons for the first three months of this year represented a 27.8% drop from 1Q 2016.

Quartz-slab imports went the other way in this year’s first quarter, with a 26.6% gain from 2016. China kept container cranes busy by increasing its U.S. shipments by 66.9%. Spain (21.4%) and Vietnam (12.8%) also pushed double-digit gains, while India declined by 17.6% in 1Q 2017.

The other big player – Israel – only marked a 2.8% increase, while Canada’s quartz-slab shipments registered neither a net gain or loss (0%). However, it’s worth noting that U.S.-based factories for several companies are increasing domestic production and likely reducing the need for imported material.

Worked marble also remained strong throughout this year’s first quarter, with a 16.2% increase from the same time last year. Italy showed a rare downturn by dropping 8.8% from 1Q 2016 levels, but China took up the slack (and the #1 marble-import position) by sending 44.1% more marble to the United States. Turkey (13.4%) and India (40.5%) also offered impressive gains.

 

 

WORKED GRANITE

250 1Q2017 worked graniteClick on chart to enlarge

 

First Quarter 2017: 311,042 metric tons

 

Change from previous year: -10.7%

 

Market leader: Brazil, 145,705 metric tons

 

Change from previous year: -10.6%

 

 

WORKED MARBLE

250 1Q2017 worked marbleClick on chart to enlarge

 

First Quarter 2017: 102,144 metric tons

 

Change from previous year: +16.2%

 

Market leader: China, 33,098 metric tons

 

Change from previous year: +44.1%

 

 

QUARTZ SURFACES

250 1Q2017 quartz slabsClick on chart to enlarge

 

First Quarter 2017: 22,788,748 ft²

 

Change from previous year: +26.6%

 

Market leader: China, 10,775,859 ft²

 

Change from previous year: +66.9%

 

 

 

 

TRAVERTINE

250 1Q2017 travertineClick on chart to enlarge

 

First Quarter 2017: 86,117 metric tons

 

Change from previous year: -26.9%

 

Market leader: Turkey, 66,085 metric tons

 

Change from previous year: -28.4%

 

 

 

OTHER CALCAREOUS

 250 1Q2017 Other CalcClick on chart to enlarge

 

 First Quarter 2017: 32,026 metric tons

 

Change from previous year: +8.9%

 

Market leader: China, 5,950 metric tons

 

Change from previous year: +3.8%

 

 

OTHER STONE

250 1Q2017 other stoneClick on chart to enlarge

 

First Quarter 2017: 96,347 metric tons

 

 

Change from previous year: -0.9%

 

Market leader: Brazil, 44,396 metric tons

 

Change from previous year: +31.5%

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