Granite exports cross Rs 4,000 crore

Buoyed by increased demand for value-added products in the world market, exports of granites, marbles and stones from the country crossed Rs 4,000 crore for the first time in 2006-07.

The industry expects exports to increase by 10 per cent to 15 per cent in the current financial year, as more granite quarrying licences are to be issued in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, two of the top-three granite-producing states in the country.

Tamil Nadu, the third largest granite producer, is expected to announce a new policy for granite quarrying. "We expect a large number of quarrying leases to be issued in this financial year. Quarrying firms are making a beeline for Tamil Nadu. Similarly, Andhra Pradesh, the leading producer of granite in the country, is likely to issue more quarrying licences," said Munavar Basha, president of the All India Granites and Stones Association.

While value-added products (polished granites and marbles, slabs, tiles, monuments and landscape materials) accounted for 80 per cent of the exports, granite cut blocks (raw and unpolished) formed the remaining segment.

"The demand for value-added products increased significantly in the USA and many European countries, driving the growth of exports. Last year (2005-06), the granite exports stood at around Rs 3,600 crore. This is the first time that exports have crossed Rs 4,000 crore (consolidated figures)," Basha added.

Domestic granites and marbles are also exported to China, Japan, Taiwan, Germany, Singapore and Russia. China is the main consumer of unpolished granites, which are exported after value addition. India is among the leading granite-exporting countries and a close competitor to China and Italy, which are the leaders.

The domestic granite and marble exports have risen steadily over the years. From a relative low of Rs 60 crore during 1986-87, when the industry was highly unorganised, exports surged to Rs 1,082 crore in 1995-96. Exports grew substantially in the new millennium "� Rs 3,179 crore in 2002-03, Rs 3,450 crore in 2003-04 and Rs 3,443 crore in 2004-05.

"A couple of years ago, exports took a hit, as Karnataka, the top producer of granites at that time, stopped quarrying in the state due to various reasons. Since then, Andhra Pradesh, famous for Galaxy and Tan Brown varieties of granite, has taken over as the top producer of granites. We are pushing for opening of more granite quarries in Karnataka, which stands second in production," Basha pointed out.