Centrorochas, the Brazilian Natural Stone Association, and ApexBrasil, the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency, approved an addendum to the It's Natural – Brazilian Natural Stone export program that adds 65 international buyers across three initiatives. Reported on September 16, 2026, the move responds to rising US tariffs on Brazilian natural stone by expanding commercial connections in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
The additional program investment is R$1.9 million, comprising R$1.76 million from ApexBrasil and R$142,800 from Centrorochas. The organizations project US$226 million in business potential during the negotiation rounds and the following 12 months, while the US remains Brazil's primary market.
How the 65 buyers are allocated
The approved addendum distributes the 65 new buyers across three commercial initiatives. Poland receives 20 buyers. Marmomac Brazil receives 25 additional buyers, taking the total to 33 compared with eight originally planned. Xiamen Stone Fair in China receives 20 buyers. The structure links buyer recruitment to specific negotiation and exhibition settings rather than presenting a single undifferentiated export push.
Program allocation and schedule
- Poland negotiations: 20 buyers, January 2027.
- Marmomac Brazil: 25 additional buyers, 33 total, March 2–4, 2027.
- Xiamen Stone Fair: 20 buyers, March 17–18, 2027.
- Big 5 Dubai: Middle East activity, November 24.
Tales Machado, president of Centrorochas, said: “Now, it is time to turn this knowledge into business deals. Approving these initiatives allows us to accelerate the connection between our companies and new buyers.” The statement describes the aim of the added initiatives: to connect Brazilian companies with new buyers through the listed rounds and events.
For buyers evaluating Brazilian supply, the expansion sits alongside existing attention to the US Section 301 tariffs on Brazilian stone. The addendum does not remove that US tariff context; it identifies additional buyer channels as the sector seeks to diversify.
US exposure and diversification
In 2025, the US represented 53.5% of Brazilian natural-stone sector export value, equal to US$795 million. It remains Brazil's primary market. The concentration gives context to the decision to add buyers outside the US as tariffs rise, while also making clear that diversification is not presented as a replacement for the country's principal destination.
The planned regions span Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Poland negotiations are scheduled for January 2027; Big 5 Dubai is listed for November 24; Xiamen Stone Fair is scheduled for March 17–18, 2027; and Marmomac Brazil 2027 is scheduled for March 2–4. Buyers can compare this program with reporting on Brazil H1 exports / quartzite record when assessing the industry's export direction.
The US$226 million projection covers negotiation rounds and the following 12 months. It is a projection of business potential, not a reported sales total. Likewise, the R$1.9 million commitment is additional investment assigned to the three initiatives, with ApexBrasil supplying R$1.76 million and Centrorochas R$142,800.
Quartzite and the Italy program
Italy is a specific part of Brazil's diversification narrative. Brazil exported US$85.6 million in quartzites to Italy in 2025, representing 72.8% of its US$117.7 million total natural-stone exports to Italy. Quartzite exports to Italy were up 66.7% versus 2024.
At Marmomac 2026 in Verona, scheduled for September 22–25, 42 Brazilian companies exhibit in Hall 1. Thirty-two are in the It's Natural Pavilion, which covers more than 1,000 m². It is the second consecutive year with a dedicated Brazilian hall. Expected business is US$10 million during the fair and US$50 million over the following 12 months.
Brazil promotes the slogan “Brazil – The World's Leading Source of Premium Quartzites,” citing more than 1,200 cataloged natural-stone varieties. Machado said of quartzite recognition: “The challenge now is to ensure that this acknowledgement becomes increasingly associated with Brazil.” A buyer looking for the material category can review this Brazilian quartzite product reference.
What it means for buyers
For importers and specification teams, the immediate signal is a broader calendar for contacting Brazilian suppliers. Poland, Xiamen, Dubai and Marmomac Brazil are the planned channels, while Marmomac 2026 provides the nearer Italy-facing meeting point. The 65-buyer allocation also shows where the program intends to build commercial conversations.
US buyers should view the initiative against the fact that the US remains Brazil's primary market and accounted for 53.5% of 2025 sector export value. The diversification strategy follows rising US tariffs, but the brief does not state that US supply will cease or that projected business is already contracted.
For quartzite sourcing, Italy's 2025 figures give a defined reference: US$85.6 million in Brazilian quartzites, 72.8% of Brazil's natural-stone exports to Italy, with growth of 66.7% versus 2024. Procurement discussions can use those figures and the listed event schedule without converting projected potential into completed trade.
The program's commercial measurements should be read at their stated levels. The US$226 million figure is projected potential across negotiation rounds and the following 12 months. Marmomac 2026 expectations are US$10 million during the fair and US$50 million over the following 12 months. These are forward-looking program figures, whereas the 2025 US and Italy export values describe prior trade.
