It is reported, at the end of 2007, Chinese decorative stone products will rank first again in five aspects, namely, the output, expected to be 28,000,000 tonnes; export quantity, 18,500,000 tonnes; export value, 3.6 billion USD; domestic consumption, 260,000,000 square meters; import quantity, 7,500,000 tonnes, worth 1.2 billion USD.
At Marmomacc fair, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade presented a report about the Chinese stone industry.
Chinese stone production Up to 2006, Chinese marble output was 900,000,000 square meters, and granite output was 1,500,000,000 square meters. The total export value was 287 USD million. Chinese stone production bases are mostly located in Fujian and Guangdong in south of China, and Shangdong in north of China. Fujian and Shandong are the two largest provinces for raw material production and processing, and Guangdong for processing of imports. The three mentioned provinces amount to 85% of the total Chinese stone output. Other provinces like Sichuan, Shanxi, Hebei, Inner Mongolia, Yunnan, Guangxi, Xinjiang and Anhui, are also production areas. What's more, there are numerous professional and mature stone products markets distributing in other major cities of China. - The three production bases The first is Xiamen-Shuitou-Quanzhou route of FujianProvince. It is the largest stone industry base, with 15,000 manufacturing companies, 5,000 import-export service companies, 500,000 practitioners, and 60% Chinese stone products output. Among them, Shuitou is taking lead in Chinese stone industry. Currently, 3,000 companies are operating. Most strikingly, the top 10 companies have taken root in Shuitou simultaneously and built factories. In the coming three years, Shuitou is to be built into the largest synthetic stone production base of China. According to a report, a large sum of capital of Chinese stone industry is assembling in Shuitou. A new round of developing era has already come. The second is Shenzhen-Yunfu route of GuangdongProvince. It is the second largest stone industry base. Though not larger than FujianProvince, it is well known for rich varieties. The third is Laizhou Peninsular of ShandongProvince. It is the third largest stone industry base, but much smaller than Fujian and Guangdong in overall scale. - Domestic stone consumption market analysis Decorative slabs for building interior and exterior have the largest consumption quote. It is required in home decoration, also prevalent in public buildings. Additionally, the stone consumption is trending to top grade and high volume this year. Considering the developing trend of Chinese stone consumption, the annual consumption quantity will remain 260 million square meters. It is important to note that Chinese government confirms that Chinese house construction will remain the impetus for 15-20 years, and house decoration will keep a much longer time comparatively. Data show the productive value of Chinese decoration industry accounts for 15% GPT. Thus it can be seen, stone consumption will increase dramatically in China. Additionally, Shanghai, well known as the largest center for economy, industry, international trade and finance of China, is also the current and future stone consuming center. Beijing's economic development will slow down after the 2008 Olympic Games; whereas, Shanghai 2010 World Expo, Shanghai Pudong Development Zone, the middle and lower reaches of Yangtze River Delta Area will formally enter the rapid construction implementation period. - Decorative stone international market analysis In recent years, annual stone imports in China maintain an increasing trend. In 2003-2006, Chinese major customer countries are Japan, South Korea, USA, Germany, and Kazakhstan. Meanwhile, Turkey, Iran, Italy, Spain, Greece, India and Egypt exported more than 10 USD million worth of marble blocks to China respectively. In 2003-2006, the major countries which export more than 10 USD million worth of granite blocks to China are India, Brazil, Norway, Finland, South Africa, USA. This shows China is increasingly turning into a market power of decorative stone production and consumption. The annual imports and exports are 40 million square meters, and 90 million square meters of slabs, respectively. Marble blocks, granite blocks and marble slabs account for 95% of the total imports. - Chinese stone market development trends The development of Chinese stone industry, both domestic consumption and international trade, is increasing by double-digit annually. The development of domestic construction industry drives the increase of stone consumption. It is predicted Chinese stone domestic consumption will be more than 250 million square meters, and the export and import value will be 3,600 USD million and 1,400 USD million, respectively. Data of the early months of 2007 reveals this development trend could be a reality. Chinese stone industry experts predict that, after 2010, will be a turning point and the growth rate will decrease by 10-15%, due to the impact of National Macro-control Policy.
Stone machinery import During the last 20 years of 20th century, stone machinery imports to China decreased dramatically. The annual import value is less than 30 USD million. The Italian stone machinery companies, who had offices or branches in China, are now withdrawing. It is much more convenient for the Chinese companies to use Chinese machines because these are comparatively cheaper.
Adjustment and alteration of governmental policy The development of Chinese stone production, consumption, import and export, has aroused close attention of the world stone industry. But, as the implementation of the concept of REEF Society, scientific development and harmonious society initiated by Chinese government, there will be a great change in stone production structure, import and export structures. First, the government will supervise the stone mine exploitation much more strictly. Second, stricter polices will be executed on the export of "High energy consumption, high pollution, resource-based" products, of which export drawback will be abolished or reduced. The government will no longer encourage the export of resource-based products. Therefore, Chinese stone international price will increase to a certain extent in 2007 in the international trade. Third, in view of the restriction on stone resources, China has cut down the import tariff of marble, granite and sandstone blocks have been reduced to zero percent. All these policies will exert a great influence on the utilization of international resources. In 2007, Chinese stone import will keep sustained growth. ( Fourth, China will import a large quantity of marble, granite blocks and marble slabs over a long period of time from the countries listed above. All these imported varieties are still scarce and favoured in China, such as yellow marbles, red granites and so on.