The fair Marmomac 2025 has come to an end, as has our event outside the fair, our MeetUp, which was titled this year “Over the surface”. Once again, we had the opportunity for personal encounters with customers and partners from all over the world.
As every year, we asked the CEO of Marmi Rossi, Mr. Giovanni Rossi, to share his opinion on this year’s stone fair and the current state of the stone industry, as he is in daily contact with Italian and international customers.
An unstable year for the stone industry (as well as for other industries)
Due to the well-known conflicts (Russia – Ukraine and Israel – Palestine), 2025 has so far been an especially difficult year, characterized by an unstable global economy and the introduction of US-tariffs (see newspaper L’Arena).
Mr. Giovanni, under these circumstances, how do you evaluate the current state of the stone market, both globally and locally?
Compared to the previous year, our company Marmi Rossi recorded losses on the European market, especially in France -50%, Poland -20% and Germany -10% (but these figures have a significantly worse impact in absolute terms than the economic losses in other European countries).
In contrast, we have not encountered major problems with the United States of America – despite the tariffs. However, we cannot make comparisons to previous years, as the US market is new to us.
Essentially, the domestic market reflects the general European crisis: reluctance to invest and smaller orders.
Marmomac 2025: stable figures, but less enthusiasm
At the stone fair Marmomac 2025, the number of visitors was nearly the same as last year, with 50,000 trade visitors from 140 countries and more than 1,400 exhibitors. What are your impressions of the fair? (see AEFI)
As we are not exhibitors at the fair, we rely on the official data from the fair organization. According to the information we received, there was a decrease in the number of visitors, and generally, the visitors seemed to hold back.
MeetUp 2025: a subdued event
As every year, Marmi Rossi organized MeetUp, a separate event during the stone fair Marmomac. What is the outcome of this event?
Compared to previous years, we recorded a lower number of visitors at the MeetUp – just as at the stone fair - and little enthusiasm for bulk purchases. The participants were mostly long-standing customers with whom we have been maintaining a solid business relationship for years, and there were hardly any new contacts, except for Americans and Australians, virtually new territory for us.
The most sought-after materials
Which material types or options have attracted the most interest?
This year, quartzites were the absolute stars. High-end customers showed great interest in special materials that previously had little demand, such as Copacabana, or that are very expensive, like Lemurian Baobab.
Black material is still being purchased, but not as frequently as before. Many customers view our materials on-site and then place their orders directly via the online warehouse, which proves that digitalization is working well as an additional sales channel.
Europe: a market in trouble
In the first months of 2025, the data show a decrease in exports to Europe, especially to Germany (-3,9%, see L’Arena). How did you perceive, during the MeetUp, the presence of German, and more generally of European entrepreneurs?
We too have recorded a decrease in German sales of about 10%. Although interest rates have been lowered in Germany, there is a lack of construction funds. In addition, the crisis of the automobile industry had a domino effect on the entire economy. A few years ago, Volkswagen employees for example received a year-end bonus; today instead, many companies are experiencing layoffs.
For this reason, Germany is unfortunately now relying on the arms industry to generally stimulate the economy again.
USA: the most promising market
Exports to the USA have increased by 7,9% (see L’Arena). What have you observed regarding the presence of American buyers?
The feedback was very positive: American buyers were present and made purchases.
Despite the US tariffs, the trend is promising, even though payments within 90 days continue to be a problem.
At any rate, these customers or contacts are well-known by our sales staff, so we feel a certain level of security regarding these business relationships.
Thoughts for the future
Looking ahead to the end of 2025 and beyond, what major challenges and opportunities do you see for the stone industry and for Marmi Rossi?
The idea is to expand the overseas market - United States, Canada and Australia - until the geopolitical situation as well as the European economy will stabilize. Unfortunately, the end of the war in Ukraine still seems far away: it is paradoxically more likely that an agreement will be reached between Israel and Palestine.
