 Oil and natural gas producing countries accelerated construction projects after the rise in the commodities' prices, says Arslan Erinç. AA photo |
Marble and travertine exports from Turkey have shifted to the Middle East, China and Russia as demand from Western markets shrank following the impact of the global financial crisis, according to Turkey’s Aegean Exporters' Association.
Data from the association has revealed a major slump in marble and travertine exports from Turkey to the United States, down from $400 million in 2008 to $218 million in 2010. Turkish marble and travertine exports to other western markets also declined, with exports to England down to $47 million and exports to Canada down to $44 million.
Despite a decline in exports from Turkey to its traditional importers, overall exports rose 26 percent year-on-year to $1.57 billion in 2010. A rise in exports to Russia, the Far East and a variety of Middle Eastern countries has been instrumental in this rise.
China became the biggest importer of natural Turkish stones in the aftermath of the financial crisis. Natural stone exports from Turkey to China rose 65 percent while exports to the U.S. – which fell to second place – rose by 5 percent. The third largest importer of natural stones from Turkey was Iraq.
Russia, Lebanon, Algeria, Qatar, Oman, Jordan and Tunisia were other countries to register higher imports from Turkey in 2010.
Arslan Erinç, chairman of the Aegean Mine Exporters' Union, representing approximately 70 percent of natural stone export, told Anatolia news agency on Wednesday that the sector did not expect a rise in exports to the U.S. and that promotional activities would be shifted to new markets in the Middle East which had become very appealing following soaring oil prices.
Oil and natural gas producing countries accelerated a number of construction projects after the rise in the commodities’ prices, he said. “The hike in oil prices, as high as $100,l triggered construction investments. We have the best quality marbles and the Middle Eastern consumers love marble. Therefore we believe the demand will grow in 2011,” said Erinç.
This shift was reflected in the list of visitors to “Marble,” an upcoming annual natural stone and technologies fair set to open March 23. Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Brazil were listed as target markets for this year's fair.
Representatives from around 1,200 companies are set to attend the fair. Major interest from Italy and India is expected at the fair, which is also expected to draw more than 10 group companies from China.
Data from the association has revealed a major slump in marble and travertine exports from Turkey to the United States, down from $400 million in 2008 to $218 million in 2010. Turkish marble and travertine exports to other western markets also declined, with exports to England down to $47 million and exports to Canada down to $44 million.
Despite a decline in exports from Turkey to its traditional importers, overall exports rose 26 percent year-on-year to $1.57 billion in 2010. A rise in exports to Russia, the Far East and a variety of Middle Eastern countries has been instrumental in this rise.
China became the biggest importer of natural Turkish stones in the aftermath of the financial crisis. Natural stone exports from Turkey to China rose 65 percent while exports to the U.S. – which fell to second place – rose by 5 percent. The third largest importer of natural stones from Turkey was Iraq.
Russia, Lebanon, Algeria, Qatar, Oman, Jordan and Tunisia were other countries to register higher imports from Turkey in 2010.
Arslan Erinç, chairman of the Aegean Mine Exporters' Union, representing approximately 70 percent of natural stone export, told Anatolia news agency on Wednesday that the sector did not expect a rise in exports to the U.S. and that promotional activities would be shifted to new markets in the Middle East which had become very appealing following soaring oil prices.
Oil and natural gas producing countries accelerated a number of construction projects after the rise in the commodities’ prices, he said. “The hike in oil prices, as high as $100,l triggered construction investments. We have the best quality marbles and the Middle Eastern consumers love marble. Therefore we believe the demand will grow in 2011,” said Erinç.
This shift was reflected in the list of visitors to “Marble,” an upcoming annual natural stone and technologies fair set to open March 23. Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Brazil were listed as target markets for this year's fair.
Representatives from around 1,200 companies are set to attend the fair. Major interest from Italy and India is expected at the fair, which is also expected to draw more than 10 group companies from China.
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