VitÃ³ria Stone Fair reflects success of Brazil's granite industry

By Michael Reis

Last year, Brazil exported a record $538.2 million worth of granite to the U.S. market, far eclipsing 2005’s total of $392.8 million. With this in mind, the timing of the Vitória Stone Fair has made it an increasingly popular destination for Americans and other international visitors, who come to Brazil not only to tour the many stone varieties on display at the exhibition, but also to visit the many stoneworking plants in the Vitória region.

The event took place from February 7 to 9, marking the sixth year that the event took place in the capital city of the state of Espírito Santo.

A growing region

The organizers of the fair, Milanez & Milaneze, pointed out that the state of Espírito Santo is the main producer and processor of ornamental stones in Brazil, as it is responsible for 47% of production and 44% of exports. In terms of stoneworking facilities, Espírito Santo houses more than 50% of the Brazilian stone industry, in terms of gangsaws and companies, as well as in terms of growth. The sector estimates an average growth of 30% in exports within the next five years.
This new phase is based on an efficient network of highways and railways and on the Vitória port complex, which turned Espírito Santo into the major Brazilian center for shipping blocks and slabs.
In addition to the many stoneworking plants in the Vitória metropolitan area, many important international producers from Espírito Santo can be found in Cachoeiro de Itapemirim and in the north of the state.

Record numbers

According to Milanez & Milaneze, close to 400 exhibitors were on hand at the Vitória Stone Fair, and over 1,000 varieties of stone were displayed at the event. Included were exotic one-of-a-kind materials as well as the traditional stones of Brazil.

Many Brazilian stone producers relied on the Vitória Stone Fair to launch new materials to the marketplace, including varieties of marble, granite, slate, quartzite and other stones (see “Touring the Vitória Stone Fair.”) In addition to stone materials, the event includes a range of stoneworking machinery, particularly for large-scale stone plants, as well as tooling, accessories, adhesives, maintenance products and resins.

A record 35,797 visitors attended the 2007 Vitória Stone Fair, including more than 2,355 foreign visitors. The attendees coming from overseas included many from the U.S., as importer/distributors and large-scale fabricators were on hand to source Brazilian stone material - primarily for kitchen countertops and other slab applications.

The exhibition was held in an area of over 375,000 square feet (35,000 sq.m), and the facilities were upgraded with air conditioning and improved infrastructure.

Besides the Brazil Vitória Stone Fair, Milanez & Milaneze conducts the Cachoeiro Stone Fair every August, also in the Espírito Santo State. This year’s Cachoeiro Stone Fair will be held from August 28 to 31, 2007, and the 2008 edition of the Vitória Stone Fair will be held from February 19 to 22, 2008. For more information on both events, or assistance with travel, visit: www.feiradomarmore.com.br.