Following a long stretch of market stagnation driven by the post-bubble lull and the pandemic, the marble sector in the province is showing signs of recovery. The first quarter of this year brought a notable 18.5% rise in the number of exporting firms, with total shipments surpassing 40 million euros. This momentum is mirrored by a 25% year-over-year increase in reported product activity, underscoring a renewed confidence across the supply chain.
Industry players recognize the moment. To reinforce this growth, eight companies will participate in the Natural Stone Show & Hard Surfaces in London, a fair highlighted by the Alicante Marble Association. The objective is twofold: expand visibility in the UK market and connect with principal international architectural studios headquartered in London, as explained by the association’s president, who emphasized the strategic alignment with global design leaders.
In relation to the British market, the alliance between Mármol de Alicante and the Generalitat has targeted both commercial and residential projects in the United Kingdom. London’s Silvertown Docks and the Royal Albert Dock area are central to prospective developments, positioning the province’s marble as a key material for future urban and architectural ventures.
Note-worthy context lies in the professional caliber of the event, which serves as a gateway to major architecture firms overseeing projects worldwide, with particular demand from the Middle East, where Alicante marble already enjoys a solid customer base.
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The export footprint to the Middle East remains strong, with Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait among the top five markets for the province’s marble producers. The participating firms express a forward-looking view by joining the fair for the first time under the Stone Gallery banner, a coordinated effort designed to streamline participation and collaboration among eight firms. This move is backed by industry leadership and supported by policymakers who view this collective approach as a catalyst for broader market access.
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The United Kingdom continues to represent a meaningful destination for Valencia’s marble and natural stone exports. In the first quarter, shipments to the UK reached 1.2 million euros, marking a 32% increase from the same period last year after a prior 23% drop in 2022. The rebound signals continued demand and resilience within the regional stone sector.
Export Focus to the UK
Value-added stone exports from the Valencia community to the United Kingdom climbed to 1.2 million euros in the opening quarter, reflecting a robust recovery and reinforcing the strategic importance of the UK market for the regional stone industry. The surge follows a challenging year but aligns with broader regional export goals and the maturation of partnerships with international buyers.