Long established as one of the world’s strongest stone-producing nations — particular for granite and exotic materials — Brazil draws the attention of the world stone industry every February, when the Vitória Stone Fair takes place in the stone-rich Brazilian State of Espírito Santo. This year’s event is scheduled for February 7 to 10, 2012, and it is expected to draw visitors from over 65 different nations.

The show will be open from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. over each of the four days, giving attendees the chance to also visit the many stoneworking operations in the area prior to visiting the fairgrounds.

Exhibits will include displays of exotic and classic Brazilian granite, marble, quartzite, slate and other materials, and many of the exhibiting companies rely on the Vitória Stone Fair to unveil materials never before seen in the marketplace. The event will also include displays of machinery and technology.

The International Marble and Granite Fair had its first edition in Cachoeiro de Itapemirim in 1989. Since 2003, the fair has also been realized in Vitória, bringing together a larger number national and international visitors and exhibitors, including attendees from over 65 countries and 25 Brazilian States in 2011.

Last year’s event featured more than 23,000 professional visitors, which visited with 450 exhibiting companies across more than 375,000 square feet of exhibit space.

Brazilian stone suppliers are currently in an optimistic state, bolstered by the fact that Brazil will be hosting the World Cup in 2014 and Olympic Games in 2016. “The Vitória Stone Fair this year [enhances] the ‘Brazil Image’ in the world, by betting on its diversity of dimensional stones and for being a favorable environment to realize good business,” stated Cecilia Milanez of Milanez & Milaneze, which runs the Vitória Stone Fair. “The strong international participation demonstrates the importance of the event.”

The event is promoted by professional stone associations, Sindirochas and Cetemag. “The sector hopes to continue warming up the internal market, and the fair has strong export sales,”  said Emic Malacarne Costa, President of Sindirochas and Cetemag.

“The Vitória Stone Fair serves as a barometer of the global dimensional stone market by being a space to present new materials, products, equipment and accessories, thereby consolidating, developing and maturing the segment.”

New for 2012, a Mexican delegation of entrepreneurs organized by the Eurocentro Nafin Mexico confirmed their presence at the Vitória Stone Fair 2012, The Eurocentro Nafin Mexico is an organization created by the European and National Commission, which seeks to establish business relationships. The Mexican entrepreneurs will come in search of new business and partnerships.

Exports of dimensional stone blocks to Mexico grew 148.16% in the first nine months of 2011, in comparison to the same period and in 2010. This was $89.2 million in sales from January to September 2011, against $35.9 million during the same period a year earlier.

For more information on the Vitória Stone Fair and travel assistance, visit www.vitoriastonefair.com.br     

The force of Brazilian stone exports

From January to September 2011, exports of the ornamental stone from Brazil totaled added $760 million (1.65 million tons), representing growth of 5.17% compared to the same period in 2010, as per data from the Brazilian Exports Center of Ornamental Rocks (Centrorochas).  Exports from the major stone-producing state of Espírito Santo totaled $539.3 million (1.01 tons), resulting in growth of 4.37% compared to the period from January to September 2010. The state of Espírito Santo is the largest exporter of manufactured products in Brazil. It is a global reference for the marble and granite sector, and it represents more than 70% of Brazilian stone exports.