Greek marble exports in H1 2026 showed virtually unchanged volume but lower value as unit prices compressed. Eurostat data analyzed by StoneNews.eu show export value falling from €137.33M in H1 2025 to €123.21M in H1 2026, a 10.29% decline, while volume increased from 341,620 t to 343,060 t, up 0.42%.
The average export price moved from €402.01/t to €359.15/t, down 10.66%. The result reflects a shift toward raw blocks and a sharper contraction in processed marble revenue.
H1 export data
| Category | H1 2025 | H1 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total exports | €137.33M; 341,620 t; €402.01/t | €123.21M; 343,060 t; €359.15/t | Value −10.29%; volume +0.42%; price −10.66% |
| Raw marble blocks | €51.72M; 243,950 t; €212.01/t | €52.89M; 257,200 t; €205.65/t | Value +2.25%; volume +5.43%; price −3.02% |
| Processed marble | €85.61M; 97,670 t; €876.52/t | €70.32M; 85,860 t; €818.99/t | Value −17.86%; volume −12.08%; price −6.56% |
Raw marble's share of export revenue rose from 37.66% to 42.92%, while processed marble's share fell from 62.34% to 57.08%. The mix shift runs contrary to the sector's effort to move from raw blocks into processed slabs, described in Greece's raw-to-processed pivot.
StoneNews.eu characterized the pattern as one in which high volume dependency on China keeps quarry operations active but compresses profit margins as raw prices fall. The data distinguish that block-volume effect from the more pronounced reduction in processed export value.
Raw blocks and China
Raw marble exports increased in value from €51.72M to €52.89M, up 2.25%, and volume rose 5.43% from 243,950 t to 257,200 t. The average raw price nevertheless declined 3.02%, from €212.01/t to €205.65/t.
China accounted for 67.23% of raw export value, or €35.55M, up 5.36%, and 65.97% of raw volume, or 169,700 t, up 13.10%. Its unit price was €209.58/t, down 6.85% and 42.59% below the 2019 peak of €365.03/t.
Other raw-market movements
- India's raw-marble value rose 61.28% to €4.94M.
- India's raw-marble volume rose 39.68%.
- India's unit price reached €223.10/t, up 15.46%.
- Raw exports to the rest of the world, excluding China and India, fell 3.59% in value.
The figures show why China remains central to raw-block flow while price compression remains a commercial concern. They also show a different India movement, where value, volume and unit price all increased over the stated comparison period.
Processed destinations
Processed marble exports fell from €85.61M to €70.32M, a 17.86% decline. Volume dropped from 97,670 t to 85,860 t, down 12.08%, and average price fell 6.56% from €876.52/t to €818.99/t.
The GCC markets of UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain fell 48.62%, from €13.69M to €7.03M. That decline represented 43.54% of the total processed-revenue loss. The United States fell 6.93% to €10.94M, with volume down 8.96%, although its €2,064.54/t unit price was the highest among the reported destinations.
Saudi Arabia rose 9.59% to €20.32M and was the largest single processed destination. Cyprus rose 8.93% to €5.69M. These gains occurred within a processed-marble total that still declined in revenue, volume and average price.
For material context, buyers can review the Thassos white marble guide and a Thassos white marble slab. The export figures do not replace block or slab selection evidence for an individual order.
The combined totals make the distinction between quantity and value clear. Export tonnage rose by 1,440 t, while export value declined by €14.12M and the average price declined by €42.86/t. Raw-block expansion did not offset the reduction in processed export revenue.
What it means for buyers
Greek unit prices softened in both export categories: processed marble was down 6.56% and raw marble down 3.02%. Together with the GCC demand decline, that gives buyers a defined basis for commercial negotiation, especially where a project can accept Greek white-marble options such as Thassos or Volakas.
Price compression should not be treated as a substitute for grading control. Buyers should insist on block or slab photographs and agreed grading terms, since a lower unit price alone does not establish the selection standard supplied for a specific order.
China absorbs roughly two-thirds of raw-block volume under the reported data. Chinese-processed Greek marble is therefore common in the market, making origin, processing route and slab documentation useful subjects for procurement discussion.
For processed supply, the US remains the highest-yielding reported market at €2,064.54/t despite its value and volume declines. Saudi Arabia's gain to €20.32M and Cyprus's increase to €5.69M show that destination movements differ within an overall processed contraction.
