Articles by Jason Kamery

Porcelain and sintered stone slabs rank among the most misunderstood materials in the countertop industry, but fabricators who learn to work with them are opening a revenue stream that is not going anywhere.

U.S. producers sold or used about 2.3 million tons of dimension stone in 2025, holding domestic output near that mark for a third straight year even as the value of that stone climbed to a five-year high of $460 million, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The Stone Fabricator’s Alliance (SFA) wrapped up its 2026 Italy Tour in early May, guiding a group of North American fabricators on a 10-day journey through the heart of the country's stone industry. Now in its 13th year, the annual tour brought together fabricators from across North America, including the U.S. and a strong Canadian representation this time around, for a packed schedule of factory visits, quarry tours and shared meals.

U.S. exports of natural stone and building stone products fell to $12.8 million in March 2026, a 22.2 percent decline from the $16.4 million shipped in March 2025, according to data from the U.S. International Trade Commission. Canada remained the dominant buyer by a wide margin, taking in $8.5 million, or 66.6 percent of all stone exports for the month, though shipments to the country fell 23.2 percent year over year. The U.S. counted 49 active export destinations in March, with Mexico, Italy and the Bahamas rounding out the top buyers behind Canada.

U.S. countertop material imports totaled $275.5 million in March 2026, a 23.6% decline from March 2025.

The Stone Fabricators Alliance is in its 13th year of leading fabricators through Italy on its annual tour, and the work behind it never really stops, said Tim Zeng, an SFA executive board director and owner of Zeng Countertops & Surfaces in Lincoln, NE.

The Latin American Fabricators Network made its first appearance at Coverings 2026, using the show's Fabricator Stage to introduce a grassroots organization aimed at giving Latino stone fabricators a seat at the industry table.

The result was a narrowing of the U.S. stone trade imbalance, though it remained vast at 21 to 1, with the country importing $230.3 million in countertop materials against the $11.2 million it shipped out. Canada remained the dominant destination by a wide margin, receiving nearly $8 million in stone products, or roughly 71% of all U.S. exports.

U.S. countertop material imports collapsed in February 2026, with total customs value falling to $230.3 million — a 29.2% drop from February 2025 and a marked acceleration from January's 14.5% year-over-year decline.

U.S. stone exports totaled $9.9 million in January 2026, a 23% decline from $12.9 million in January 2025. Canada remained the dominant destination, receiving $6.5 million in stone products, or roughly two-thirds of all U.S. exports.