Italian stone and stone-technology exports reached US$1.69 billion in the first half of 2026, up 5.5% from H1 2025, according to figures from the Confindustria Marmomacchine Studies Centre released during Marmomac 2026. Natural-stone exports accounted for US$1.231 billion of that total, increasing 8.2%.
The result combines higher export value with lower natural-stone volume. Shipments of marble, travertine, granite and other natural stone totalled about 997,000 tonnes, down 3.3%, while the average price reached US$1,234.6 per tonne, the highest level on record. Finished and semi-finished natural-stone products exceeded US$2,000 per tonne for the first time.
For procurement teams, the figures place pricing and processing origin at the centre of discussions about Italian material. The United States remained the largest destination for finished and semi-finished Italian stone, while China took more than half of Italy's raw-block exports.
Italian stone exports H1 2026: value rises as volume falls
The US$1.69 billion total covers stone and stone-working technology. Within it, natural-stone materials generated US$1.231 billion, up 8.2% year on year. Finished and semi-finished material represented US$956.5 million, up 7.5%, while raw blocks reached US$274.4 million, up 10.6%.
| Segment | H1 2026 value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Total stone and stone technology | US$1.69 billion | +5.5% |
| Natural stone | US$1.231 billion | +8.2% |
| Finished/semi-finished stone | US$956.5 million | +7.5% |
| Raw blocks | US$274.4 million | +10.6% |
| Stone-working technology | US$459.2 million | −0.9% |
| Imports | US$245 million | −5.1% |
| Trade surplus | US$1.445 billion | +7.6% |
The divergence between volume and value indicates a price- and mix-driven gain: fewer tonnes moved, but average export value rose to a record. Finished and semi-finished products crossing US$2,000 per tonne is a material benchmark for buyers comparing Italian fabrication with alternative supply routes.
Flavio Marabelli, Honorary President of Confindustria Marmomacchine, said: “The numbers show that our sector is one of the most dynamic in manufacturing.”
Markets show different demand for blocks and finished stone
China was the principal destination for Italian raw blocks at US$144.6 million, up 19.5%, and accounted for more than 50% of raw exports. India followed at US$30.1 million, up 17%. These flows matter where a specification distinguishes Italian-origin material from stone processed in Italy.
Finished and semi-finished exports were led by the United States at US$323.5 million, up 7.5%. Germany received US$66.3 million and remained stable. Switzerland reached US$62.4 million, up 27.7%; France received US$58.1 million, down 1.7%; and the UAE reached US$41.2 million, up 24.9%.
The US result came amid the 2026 tariff environment discussed in StoneTrades' coverage of Italian marble exports and tariff headwinds. It leaves the US as the largest finished-stone market in the reported period. The value performance contrasts with the pattern in Greek marble exports in H1 2026, where the reported value moved down under price compression.
Processed material reaches a new pricing threshold
The record US$1,234.6-per-tonne average is across natural-stone materials. The separate US$2,000-per-tonne threshold for finished and semi-finished products underscores the value attached to processing. Buyers sourcing Carrara white marble slabs or comparable Italian finished stone can use these figures as a market reference, while still assessing the exact finish, block selection and processing requirement in an individual offer.
Technology exports ease while the surplus expands
Italy's stone-working technology and machinery exports were US$459.2 million, down 0.9%. Italy and China are the market leaders in stone technology, each with a share close to 30%.
For machinery, the United States was the largest reported destination at US$58.9 million, up 0.9%. Germany received US$29.9 million, down 6.6%; the UK received US$27.8 million, up 37.1%; Türkiye received US$27.5 million, down 26.6%; and France received US$26.9 million, up 10%.
Imports declined 5.1% to US$245 million. The resulting trade surplus was US$1.445 billion, up 7.6%. The sector data therefore shows stronger overall export value even as technology exports edged lower and natural-stone volumes fell.
What it means for buyers
- Italian finished-stone pricing is at record levels, so buyers should expect limited room for discounts on processed Italian marble and should establish price validity in quotations.
- China absorbed more than half of Italian raw-block exports. Where a project requires processing in Italy, procurement teams should check origin and processing documentation rather than assume that Italian-origin marble was fabricated in Italy.
- Growth in Swiss and UAE finished-stone demand can increase competition for premium lots. Block selection and allocation should be addressed early in the buying process.
- Quotes for longer procurement cycles can include escalation terms, particularly when the required material is processed rather than supplied as a raw block.
- The US remained the largest finished-stone market in the reported period, making supplier capacity and delivery discussions relevant alongside the tariff context.
